Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has arrived in the United States ahead of a meeting with US President Donald Trump. The two leaders are expected to discuss deepening cooperation on defense and the economy. One of the key topics on the agenda is the proposed merger of US Steel and Japan’s Nippon Steel, which was blocked last month by President Joe Biden due to national security concerns.
President Trump has expressed his opposition to the deal and recently met with US Steel CEO David Burritt in preparation for the meeting with Ishiba. Nippon Steel has reiterated that their bid is the best proposal for US Steel and is hopeful that the Ishiba-Trump meeting will pave the way for a potential deal.
This summit marks Ishiba as the first Asian leader to meet with President Trump since his return to office. The visit comes at a crucial time as the president is calling for partners to increase defense spending.
During the meeting, Ishiba is expected to discuss Japanese investments in the US and the security alliance between the two countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Japan has played a central role in Washington’s security strategy in the region.
The US maintains a significant military presence in Japan under a mutual cooperation and security treaty established in 1960. US Forces Japan, based at Yokota Air Base, consists of approximately 60,000 military personnel stationed in the country.
Ishiba expressed his intentions for the meeting, stating, 'I’d like to confirm in my meeting with the president that Japan and the US will cooperate in the economic and security fields, working together towards peace, and promoting freedom and openness in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.' He also emphasized his desire to build trust with President Trump during the meeting.
