Overview
- At ASEAN meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Sanae Takaichi emphasized a free and open Indo-Pacific and held in-person talks with regional leaders, including an agreement with the Philippines to bolster security cooperation.
- President Donald Trump told ASEAN leaders the United States wants to be a stronger partner for Southeast Asia and praised Takaichi after a phone call ahead of his Asia visit.
- Their first face-to-face in Tokyo on Tuesday is expected to address tariffs, regional security, and Takaichi’s plan to accelerate defense spending to 2% of GDP by March 2026.
- Recent negotiations lowered U.S. tariffs on Japanese goods from 25% to 15% and yielded a reported $550 billion Japanese investment pledge in U.S. industries, though many details remain vague.
- Takaichi heads into the summit with a 71% approval rating and a cabinet featuring Abe-era veterans, including tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa, signaling continuity toward Washington and a firm stance on China and Taiwan.