Trump backs Japan's Takaichi against Xi's criticism, Yomiuri reports

During a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping this month, U.S. President Donald Trump defended Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi against criticism, according to a report by Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun daily, citing unidentified government sources.

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Takaichi and Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te pose a threat to regional peace

The report suggests that at the Beijing summit, Xi Jinping identified Takaichi and Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te as threats to regional peace. Xi allegedly urged Trump to withdraw his support for them. This exchange reportedly occurred against a backdrop of deteriorating ties between Japan and China, particularly since Takaichi's suggestion last November that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could prompt a military response from Tokyo.

In response to Xi's remarks, Trump reportedly expressed his view that Prime Minister Takaichi is not the type of leader who warrants criticism. The Yomiuri Shimbun indicated that no immediate comments were available from the Japanese prime minister's office, the foreign ministry, or the U.S. embassy in Tokyo outside of regular business hours.

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Takaichi is not the kind of leader who deserves criticism

Following his visit to China, Trump spoke with Takaichi via phone. During that conversation, the two leaders reaffirmed what Takaichi described as an "ironclad" bilateral alliance between the United States and Japan. This reported defense of Takaichi by Trump could signal a continued alignment between the U.S. and Japan on regional security matters, particularly concerning China's stance on Taiwan.

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ironclad bilateral alliance