President Donald Trump welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to the White House on Friday, where both leaders committed to strengthening cooperation in defense, economy, technology, and other sectors, aiming for a “new golden age” in their bilateral relations.
Both leaders criticized China, accusing it of engaging in subversive activities in the South China Sea, a long-standing point of contention between Beijing and Tokyo over territorial claims.
Trump stressed that they are united in confronting China’s “Chinese economic aggression.”
The leaders also discussed their mutual security concerns regarding North Korea, with Trump expressing his intention to restore relations with its leader, Kim Jong Un.
Ishiba and Trump reaffirmed the significance of maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait and confirmed that Article 5 of the Japan-U.S. security treaty applies to the Tokyo-controlled, Beijing-claimed Senkaku Islands.
Addressing economic matters, Trump stated that he seeks to reduce the U.S. trade deficit with Japan.
Trump announced that Japan would purchase record amounts of liquefied natural gas from the United States and agreed to strengthen economic coordination.
Ishiba became the second foreign leader to meet with Trump in his second administration, following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
