Trump in Japan for Talks on Trade, Security Ahead of Xi Summit

US President Donald Trump has arrived in Tokyo as part of his Asian tour, the main goals of which are to conclude new trade agreements and to clarify the positions of allies on security issues. This visit precedes a key summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea later this week, which the whole world is waiting for.

Trump's negotiation agenda in Tokyo is quite full. Meetings are planned with Emperor Naruhito and Japan's newly elected Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi. This is a serious diplomatic test for Japan's first female prime minister to strengthen the alliance with Washington and to show readiness to deepen cooperation in the security sphere.

One of the main topics of the negotiations is trade. Earlier, Trump had managed to get a $550 billion investment promise from Japan in exchange for easing import duties.

It is expected that Takaichi will try to further strengthen her position by promising to increase the volume of purchases of American agricultural products, particularly soybeans, as well as cars and gas.

No less important than trade is the issue of security. Trump has consistently demanded that Japan increase its defense spending, especially against the backdrop of China's growing military influence. In response, Prime Minister Takaichi has already announced her intention to accelerate the largest modernization of Japan's defense capabilities since World War II. Tokyo, which hosts the largest American military forces abroad, seeks to demonstrate its commitment to its allied obligations.