Taro Aso to Meet Donald Trump Amidst Election Concerns
Taro Aso, a senior figure in Japan's ruling party and former Prime Minister, 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 election.
Japan's concerns stem from the possibility of Trump re-implementing protectionist trade measures or taking other actions that could negatively impact the Japanese economy and the strong defense ties between the two nations. This concern arises from Trump's previous stance on trade and foreign policy.
The meeting between Trump and Aso comes just two weeks after President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced plans for enhanced military cooperation and various projects aimed at solidifying the US-Japan alliance.
This meeting also signifies the latest attempt by a foreign country to establish stronger ties with Trump, as polls indicate a close race between him and Biden.
Aso, 83, currently serves as vice president of the Liberal Democratic Party. He previously held the position of deputy prime minister under the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who developed a close relationship with Trump during his presidency. Aso possesses extensive experience in shaping US-Japan relations.
Nicholas Szechenyi, Japan chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, commented that Aso "not only provides a connection back to the Abe-Trump era but he can also speak authoritatively about how US-Japan relations have evolved."
The White House has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Japan's approach to engaging with Trump has been multifaceted, involving sending emissaries in recent months to meet with Trump allies and potential policymakers at Trump-aligned think tanks.
Sunao Takao, Abe's interpreter, is among those who will be deployed to bolster ties, as reported by Reuters in March.
Last week, Trump met with Polish President Andrzej Duda at Trump Tower in New York. This followed a dinner with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron earlier in April and a meeting with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban in March.
"Leaders from around the world know that with President Trump we had a safer, more peaceful world," stated Trump senior campaign adviser Brian Hughes on Monday.
"He is widely recognized as a leader who, with the support of the American people, kept our nation and allies safe, our enemies in check, and American workers protected from unfair globalist trade policies.