U. S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs may press Asian countries closer to China and destabilize local safety, Japan’s ruling party policy chief warned, calling for stronger security ties between Washington and Tokyo.
“Many Eastern countries have taken the same position toward China as the U. S. and Japan, but they are now feeling very uncomfortable over the Trump tariffs, ” said Liberal Democratic Party Legislation Chief Itsunori Onodera at a Hudson Institute occasion Monday in Washington. “More states does range themselves from the U. S. and maneuver closer to China — and that ’s no an outcome Japan did wish for, ” he added.
His feedback came as several countries are looking to deal with the U. S. over the Trump administration ’s bilateral taxes, which threaten not only a significant impact on Asian markets but may also destroy security in the region. Tokyo is preparing for a second round of business deals with Washington after this week.
Onodera, a former Japan defence minister, stressed the need to promote defense assistance with the U. S. amid growing challenges, including from Beijing. He cited China ’s continuous pressure on Taiwan, increased “cognitive war ” over territorial concerns and escalating military activities among key issues.
Trump officially pressed Japan to make more security costs as part of the nations ’ first trade conversations earlier this month. The senator has long criticized the empire with Japan as “unequal, ” with the U. S. obligated to defend Japan while receiving much in profit.
Onodera suggested that Japan and the U. S. could investigate possible shared production and exports of defense equipment, especially ammunition, referring to new policy shifts that was allow Japan to do so. Asked whether Japan may acquire boosting its security efforts to the U. S. empire, Onodera declined to comment.
Japan currently faces a 25 % tariff on cars, steel and aluminum, as well as a 10 % baseline tariff, lowered temporarily from 24 %. Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s key business negotiator with U. S. , is set to maintain second-round deals with U. S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and some after this year.
“Given the present delicate security surroundings, I believe that Japan may immediately resolve the tax issue with the U. S. in a win-win position, and play its role in maintaining regional stability, ” said Onodera.
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