As Tokyo looks to strengthen local relationships following Donald Trump’s tax assault, Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba may travel to Vietnam and the Philippines next year, according to authorities.
Beijing is trying to position itself as a robust solution to the United States as frontrunners confront Trump’s charges as part of a South Asian tour led by Chinese President Xi Jinping on April 27 and 30.
One of the best interests of Japanese diplomacy is strengthening relations with Southeast Asia, a global development center and corporate place, according to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi.
With populations exceeding 100 million and as they continue to have strong economic growth, ties with Vietnam and the Philippines are of particular significance.
Last year, Xi urged Vietnam to” stand up for the security of the global free trade system” and to join forces with China to “oppose punitive abuse.”
Days later, Trump claimed that the Xi’s attend to Hanoi was intended to “screw” the United States.
Despite being a significant US supporter and the biggest investment into the US, Trump has imposed severe taxes on the goods of cars, material, and aluminum.
Some Japanese companies, apparently including the world’s largest entertainment company, are shifting manufacturing to Vietnam and its neighbor, Cambodia, as a result of the effects of the most recent US-China trade war.
Ishiba will visit the Philippines on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, according to an official declaration from Manila.
A conference between Ishiba and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos” may aim to strengthen and enhance financial and development assistance, social and security activities, and people-to-people exchanges,” it said.
A vital security ally of the Philippines is Japan, and Tokyo is awaiting its approval of an agreement that would allow them to deploy soldiers on their respective territories.
Japan pledged to improve the Philippines ‘ “maritime safety” and “maritime safety capabilities,” as a result of a January pledge by the two nations to improve cooperation to combat China’s actions in the contested South China Sea.
