Japan speaks out against US #news #economy #geopolitics

Japan speaks out against US #news #economy #geopolitics

In an unprecedented move that no one saw coming, the Japanese government has shifted away from the United States as the country is being forced to resist Trump’s efforts to form a trade block against China. Japan intends to push back against any US effort to bring it into an economic block aligned against China. Because of the importance of Tokyo’s trade ties with Beijing, Japan doesn’t want to get caught up in any US effort to maximize trade pressure on China by curbing its own economic interaction with Beijing, which is Tokyo’s biggest trading partner and an important source of goods and raw materials. Although the US hasn’t made any specific requests to Japan regarding China, Tokyo would prioritize its own interest if that occurs. Japan has conveyed to China on multiple occasions that it doesn’t fully align with the US on chip related exports and semiconductor restrictions. And this is big news because Japan has made 180° pivot and is now effectively defending China from the United States. There’s no overstating how transformational this is because Japan has always aligned itself with the United States. I mean, let’s not forget Japan is home to over 120 active US military bases. the most of any nation outside the United States. But here is the main point that Donald Trump is missing in his trade war. Countries will always act in their best interest, and it’s not in anyone’s best interest to cut off trade with China or support a US-led trade block against China, who, let’s not forget, is the number one trading partner for over 120 countries around the world. Because Japan’s government has been so shocked from the treatment it’s received from the Trump administration that it has broken Japanese culture of being quiet and reserved. And Japanese officials are now speaking to the world and exposing the truth about negotiating with Donald Trump. What the United States is saying is completely unreasonable. Their logic is all over the place and there’s no consistency at all. If Japan gives in thinking it’s a negotiation or a deal and compromises on its position, it sets a bad precedent as a customary practice. This trade war is embarrassing Trump and the United States on the international stage. A few months ago, it would have been inconceivable to think Japan would ever compare the US government to an extortionist. But this Japanese government official is spoton in his reasoning. If you give money to someone extorting you, they’ll just come back to extort you again. And this is why Japan is so vocal in speaking out against Trump’s trade negotiations.

Japan sees no reason why it should deal with US when US doesn’t have consistency. (@CyrusJanssen )