The president of the United States, Donald Trump, and the Prime Minister of Japan, Sanae Takaichi, have discussed the ties with China in a meeting held on the margins of the UN General Assembly, which is taking place in New York, shortly before the arrival on U.S. soil of the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, to meet with Trump himself.
"Given the increasing severity of the security environment, even in Asia, the fact that Donald and I are having conversations here today, at the UN headquarters, demonstrates to the world the strength of the alliance between Japan and the United States," Takaichi has asserted, highlighting the relevance of this closed-door meeting, lasting approximately 35 minutes.
According to the newspaper 'The Japan Times', this meeting — the first formal summit between the two leaders since Takaichi's visit to Washington in March — focused on issues of economic security and cooperation in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals, among other strategic matters.
Takaichi has emphasized the need for Washington to remain closely aligned with Tokyo on the main dossiers related to China, in a context of frictions with Beijing following her statements in November, when she suggested that a potential use of force by China against Taiwan could lead to a Japanese military intervention.
"Japan considers it important that the relations between the United States and China contribute to the stability of the international community, so we will coordinate closely with the United States on this matter," the leader stated during a press conference following the meeting.
Trump, for his part, has stated that Takaichi is "doing a great job" at the helm of the Japanese government and has stressed that "Japan is doing very well." "There is a great improvement and it is an honor to be here alongside her. She is my friend, and we have gotten to know each other very well during this last period of time. She will go down in history as one of the best prime ministers," he has maintained.
In recent months, relations between China and Japan have deteriorated following Takaichi's words. Beijing accuses Tokyo of advancing in a process of remilitarization, while applying export controls on dual-use products to Japanese companies and further tightening restrictions on rare earths, essential for multiple key technologies.
The Chinese authorities have demanded that Takaichi withdraw her statements before considering the lifting of export restrictions and the resumption of bilateral dialogue. However, the Prime Minister has refused to rectify and has reiterated that Tokyo's official position on the island remains unchanged.