Julia Christine Botin

US-Japan alliance unequal, Trump complains

Article (news)

Agence France-Presse

<div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1741321994900New Project (16).jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Marines from MCAS Futenma Expeditionary Firefighting and Recovery conduct night arrested landing training with F/A-18s from VMFA(AW)-115. Public Domain </span></span></span></div><p>WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump said Japan is not required to protect the United States militarily and makes &quot;a fortune&quot; from it economically, as he fired off an impromptu broadside at a key ally.</p><p>It came as Japan&#x27;s trade minister is arranging a trip to Washington during which he will reportedly demand an exemption from imminent US tariffs on steel and aluminum.</p><p>&quot;We have a great relationship with Japan. But we have an interesting deal with Japan that we have to protect them, but they don&#x27;t have to protect us,&quot; Trump said Thursday.</p><p>&quot;And by the way, they make a fortune with us economically,&quot; he said. &quot;I actually ask, who makes these deals?&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/world/2024/6/17/us-base-transfer-backers-critics-split-in-okinawa-election-1038">US base transfer backers, critics split in Okinawa election</a></div><p>In response, government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said Friday that Japan trusts Washington to keep its obligation to the two countries&#x27; security treaty.</p><p>Around 54,000 US military personnel are stationed in Japan, mostly in the Okinawa region east of Taiwan.</p><p>Meanwhile Tokyo&#x27;s economy, trade and industry minister Yoji Muto told reporters that he hoped his US trip would &quot;be a win-win for both Japanese and US national interests.&quot;</p><p>He said the visit was being coordinated and did not confirm the March 9-13 dates given by Japanese media or reports that he will push US officials to exempt Japan from levies.</p><p>Trump has said 25-percent steel and aluminum tariffs will be imposed on Wednesday of next week, without exceptions.</p><p>&quot;It is important to closely study the specific content of these (tariff) measures and their impact,&quot; Muto said Friday.</p><p>He also poured cold water on Trump&#x27;s announcement that Japan was among the countries looking to invest trillions of dollars in a &quot;gigantic&quot; natural gas pipeline in Alaska.</p><p>&quot;This is an issue that the government and the private sector need to study, in terms of profitability and when supply will begin,&quot; Muto said.</p><p>&quot;I hope to hear more details on this project&quot; from US officials, he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/overseas/11/25/23/us-spy-drones-relocated-to-okinawa-despite-local-objection">US spy drones relocated to Okinawa despite local objection</a></div><p>Trump has also threatened to impose tariffs of around 25 percent on auto imports. Vehicles represented nearly a third of all Japan&#x27;s exports to the United States last year.</p><p>Without referring to Muto&#x27;s planned visit, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told parliament on Wednesday that Japan&#x27;s &quot;contribution to the US economy is significant.&quot;</p><p>&quot;So we want to appeal resolutely, with emotion and logic,&quot; to Washington on the tariffs, he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/3/6/will-trump-s-actions-force-asian-allies-to-embrace-china-1326">Will Trump&#x27;s actions force Asian allies to embrace China?</a></div><p>Muto and Japan&#x27;s foreign minister will hold economic security talks with their British counterparts in Tokyo Friday, touted as a chance to promote free trade and boost business ties.</p><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t9Pfr25j1Ww?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>US President Donald Trump said Japan is not required to protect the United States militarily and makes "a fortune" from it economically, as he fired off an impromptu broadside at a key ally.</p>

US President Donald Trump said Japan is not required to protect the United States militarily and makes "a fortune" from it economically, as he fired off an impromptu broadside at a key ally.