Trump and Takaichi Hold Phone Call: "Trump Explains Recent U.S.-China Relations"

Donald Trump, President of the United States, and Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan, held a phone conversation for about 25 minutes on November 25.

According to the Nikkei and other sources, Prime Minister Takaichi met with reporters at the Prime Minister’s Office on the same day and stated that the call was initiated at the suggestion of President Trump. She said, "We exchanged a wide range of views on strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance, as well as on the situation and various challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region."

Donald Trump, President of the United States (left), and Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

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Prime Minister Takaichi also explained that President Trump briefed her on his recent phone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other developments in U.S.-China relations. She said, "We reaffirmed the close cooperation between Japan and the United States."

Recently, tensions between China and Japan have intensified following Prime Minister Takaichi’s remarks about potential intervention in the event of a Taiwan contingency. Regarding this, Prime Minister Takaichi declined to comment on whether she discussed the matter with President Trump, saying only, "Since it was a diplomatic conversation, I will refrain from providing details."

China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency reported the previous day that during the phone call between the U.S. and Chinese leaders, President Trump told President Xi, "China played an important role in achieving victory in World War II, and the United States understands the significance of the Taiwan issue for China." The fact that Chinese state media highlighted President Trump’s remarks about Taiwan is seen as related to China’s strong reaction to Prime Minister Takaichi’s recent comments on potential intervention in a Taiwan contingency.

However, President Trump did not mention the Taiwan issue or China-Japan tensions in his social media post summarizing his call with President Xi.

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