Ishiba-Trump Summit Strengthens U.S.-Japan Alliance and Economic Ties

The leaders' first meeting focused on defense, trade, and economic cooperation, with Japan's increased defense spending and trade deficit concerns taking center stage.

• Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and President Donald Trump held their first summit in Washington, emphasizing defense cooperation and economic ties.
• The U.S. reaffirmed its commitment to Japan's defense, including nuclear deterrence, and supported Japan's plan to increase defense spending to 2% of GDP by 2027.
• Both leaders highlighted the importance of maintaining peace across the Taiwan Strait and opposed unilateral changes to the status quo by force or coercion.
• Trade discussions focused on addressing the U.S. trade deficit with Japan, with Trump urging increased Japanese investment in American energy and technology sectors.
• Japanese businesses expressed relief over the summit's outcomes but remain cautious about potential tariffs and their impact on exports and supply chains.

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