Japan PM says she had 'timely' discussion with Trump ahead of his Xi summit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a "timely" discussion with US President Donald Trump about China prior to Trump's scheduled summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, according to a press conference in New York. Takaichi emphasized Japan's belief that US-China relations should promote international stability, including Japan's interests.

The specifics of their conversation concerning China were not disclosed. Japan and other allies in Asia are apprehensive that Trump might weaken Washington's backing for Taiwan in exchange for an economic pact with Xi. Takaichi's meeting with Trump provided Japan with an opportunity to sway the president's stance heading into his meeting with Xi.

Sources indicated that Xi intends to urge Trump to suspend arms shipments to Taiwan during their summit, as reported by Reuters earlier. China perceives Taiwan as its own territory and has intensified military actions near the island. Moreover, the island's proximity to Japan amplifies concerns for Takaichi, who previously outraged China by suggesting Tokyo might deploy defense forces if military actions targeting Taiwan also jeopardized Japanese territory.