Taro Aso to Meet Donald Trump Amidst US Election Concerns
Taro Aso, a senior figure in Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, is scheduled to meet with Donald Trump on Tuesday. This meeting comes as Japan seeks to strengthen ties with the Republican presidential candidate ahead of the November 5th US election.
Japan's concerns stem from the possibility of Trump, if elected, implementing protectionist trade measures or taking other actions that could negatively impact the Japanese economy and the strong US-Japan defense alliance.
This meeting follows a recent announcement by President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida outlining plans for enhanced military cooperation and projects aimed at bolstering the US-Japan alliance.
Aso, a former prime minister and current vice president of the Liberal Democratic Party, brings decades of experience in shaping US-Japan relations. His connection to the Abe-Trump era and his understanding of the evolution of the relationship are seen as valuable assets in this engagement.
Japan's multifaceted approach to Trump has included sending emissaries to meet with Trump allies and potential policymakers at Trump-aligned think tanks. Sunao Takao, Abe's interpreter, is among those involved in this effort.
Trump's recent meetings with foreign leaders, including Polish President Andrzej Duda, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, highlight the global interest in engaging with him.
Trump's senior campaign advisor, Brian Hughes, emphasizes the perception of Trump as a leader who ensured safety and peace, kept enemies in check, and protected American workers during his presidency.