Japanese Prime Minister not getting a chance to meet Trump

 Japanese Prime Minister not getting a chance to meet Trump

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru is currently in Lima, Peru, after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. He is set to leave Lima for Brazil on Sunday, November 17, where he will participate in the G-20 summit, joining leaders of the world’s top economies.

This trip places Ishiba in close proximity to the United States, leading him to consider the possibility of a brief stopover in the U.S. after the G-20 summit to meet President-elect Donald Trump. The Japanese government had even explored the idea of using this unscheduled visit to strengthen ties with the incoming Trump administration.

The Japanese government had previously faced confusion in its relationship with the U.S. after an incident involving former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s interactions with Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election campaign. At the time, Abe opted to meet with Clinton, then the Democratic candidate, but not with Trump, assuming Clinton would win. This miscalculation led to a diplomatic scramble after Trump's victory, as Japan quickly sought to build rapport with the new president. Abe eventually visited Trump in Florida, where he presented a luxury golf set, solidifying a strong relationship that would benefit Japan in the years to come, including Trump’s eventual decision not to push Japan for higher defense costs.

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This experience has shaped Ishiba's approach, and he was determined not to repeat the same mistake. To ensure a positive start with Trump, Ishiba’s delegation reached out to Trump’s team before he left Japan, exploring the possibility of a quick meeting. However, during his time in Lima, it became clear that Trump’s team was overwhelmed with requests from world leaders, and it was unlikely that Ishiba would be able to meet the president-elect before taking office.

At a press conference in Lima, Ishiba explained to reporters that Trump’s team had informed them that, with the many demands on his time, it was not feasible for him to accommodate all the incoming requests. As a result, Ishiba was forced to return to Japan without the hoped-for meeting with Trump, a disappointment after his eight-day overseas trip.

The situation has also raised questions about Japan’s standing in its relationship with the U.S. during Trump’s second term. While it is too early to determine how the dynamics will evolve, many are speculating that Japan’s position in U.S. foreign policy could shift depending on how global politics unfold.

Despite the setback with Trump, Ishiba’s visit to Peru was not without significance. He held two important meetings, including one with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where they discussed improving relations and addressing ongoing tensions between their countries. While Ishiba has maintained a strong stance against China on certain issues, his dialogue with Xi suggests there may be room for flexibility moving forward. The two leaders agreed to continue regular meetings to foster better communication.

Ishiba also participated in a trilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. The meeting primarily focused on North Korea and strengthening the trilateral alliance between Japan, the U.S., and South Korea. While no major decisions were reached, the leaders expressed their commitment to closer cooperation on regional security. However, with Biden’s impending departure and South Korea’s domestic political challenges, some observers question the long-term impact of the discussions.

In the end, while Ishiba's efforts to meet Trump were unsuccessful, his time in Peru allowed him to engage in important diplomatic exchanges that will influence Japan’s foreign policy moving forward.

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