US President Donald Trump reportedly asked Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to avoid further escalating tensions with China. The call came amid growing diplomatic friction over Taiwan.
Takaichi’s recent remarks in Japan’s parliament suggested that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could prompt Japanese military action. These comments drew strong criticism from Beijing and intensified regional tensions.
During Tuesday’s call, Trump told Takaichi he did not want to see additional escalation. Sources familiar with the matter said the president made no specific demands or calls for Japan to retract its statements. Japan maintains that Takaichi’s remarks reflect long-standing policy rather than a sudden shift.
Observers in Tokyo have expressed concern that Trump may prioritize US-China trade relations over unwavering support for Taiwan. Experts say this could embolden Beijing and increase regional instability. Kazuhiro Maejima, a US politics professor at Sophia University, noted, “For Trump, what matters most is US-China relations. Japan has always been treated as a tool to manage that relationship.”
The call with Takaichi followed a separate discussion between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, in which Xi emphasized Taiwan’s “return to China” as central to Beijing’s vision of world order. Taiwan, a democratic nation, rejects Beijing’s claims, stating that only its citizens can decide the island’s future.
The White House emphasized that US-China relations are “extremely strong” and highlighted ongoing trade negotiations. A statement attributed to Trump said, “We signed wonderful trade deals with Japan, China, South Korea, and many other nations, and the world is at peace. Let’s keep it that way!”
Despite the call, Trump has remained largely silent publicly about Japan’s escalating dispute with China, causing concern in Tokyo. China has also urged the US to rein in Japan to prevent “actions to revive militarism,” according to the Communist Party’s People’s Daily.
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Analysts suggest that Trump is focused on maintaining a fragile trade truce with China and avoiding further confrontation ahead of his planned visit to Beijing in April.
