Trump Advises Japan’s Takaichi Not to Provoke China Over Taiwan
Japan’s foreign ministry, however, denied any rise in crimes against Chinese citizens.
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump reportedly advised Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi not to provoke China regarding Taiwan’s sovereignty, following tensions between Tokyo and Beijing. The dispute arose after Takaichi suggested Japan could intervene militarily if Taiwan, the self-ruled island claimed by China, were attacked.
During a phone call, Trump subtly advised Takaichi to avoid escalating the situation but did not pressure her to retract her comments, according to the Wall Street Journal. The call also covered Trump’s conversation with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and broader US-Japan relations.
Read more: Xi Raises Taiwan Issue in Call with Trump as Both Leaders Push to Maintain Trade Truce
China reacted strongly to Takaichi’s remarks, summoning Japan’s ambassador and warning its citizens against traveling to Japan, citing safety concerns. Japan’s foreign ministry, however, denied any rise in crimes against Chinese citizens.
Takaichi said in her own report of the call that Trump reassured her of their close friendship and encouraged her to contact him freely, though Japanese officials described the warning as concerning. The advice aimed to protect the recent US-China detente, which includes agreements on agricultural trade.
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