The White House declined to get ahead of discussions between President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba about Japan’s defense spending as the two leaders prepare to meet for the first time for their respective administrations.
During his first presidency, Trump expressed concerns about Japan’s defense spending as a percentage of its gross domestic product, particularly considering the U.S. has its largest permanent overseas military presence of 50,000 personnel stationed there.
Negotiations regarding a new deal between the U.S. and Japan are poised to start next year, with Trump using the threats of tariffs before, for example, the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement is reviewed in 2026.
“I don’t think either of us want to get ahead of what may come out of the discussions,” one senior administration official told the Washington Examiner on Friday. “There’ll be opportunities for both leaders to speak to you all a little bit later, but obviously there’s a partnership that’s long standing, and the president is committed to, always committed to the security of the United States and our allies.”
A second administration official underscored the U.S. and Japan’s “very, very long standing cooperative relationship” and that there are conversations that go on “constantly” related to military facilities, weapons, deployment, and training.
“They’re always constantly being adjusted to ensure the strongest possible deployment of the alliance, the capabilities between the two of us, and the investment that both countries are making in our shared security,” he said.
Trump and Ishiba are expected to meet for a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office and a working lunch in the Cabinet Room Friday morning before answering reporters’ questions during a joint press conference in the East Room in the afternoon.
During a background briefing with reporters earlier Friday, the first official previewed that it was time for “a new age of U.S.-Japan relations to bring peace and prosperity to the Indo-Pacific,” but that the two countries “will continue to work together to ensure we deter threats in the region through our full range of military capabilities.”
“Today, you should expect President Trump and Prime Minister Ishiba to discuss realistic training exercises and increase our cooperation on defense equipment and technology,” he said. “They will also discuss foreign investment into the United States to create high-quality American jobs.
The official added that Trump and Ishiba would discuss ways to improve U.S. and Japan cybersecurity capabilities, increase space cooperation, and promote joint business opportunities to develop critical technologies, including artificial intelligence and semiconductors, as well.
“As President Trump aims to unleash American energy exports to the rest of the world, you should expect energy to play a large role in the discussions,” he said.
The officials declined to “get ahead” of Trump and Ishiba with respect to tariffs after the president previewed last month the possibility of duties on pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and steel.
“There will be discussions,” the second official said. “We all know that President Trump pays a lot of attention to deficits as an indication of the economic fairness and strength of the relationship.”
Although both Trump and former President Joe Biden were opposed to Nippon Steel purchasing U.S. Steel, the second official said the president would welcome Japanese investment in the U.S., such as in the country’s manufacturing and energy sectors.
The officials were additionally asked for an update on Trump’s North Korea policies, with the second official saying the president “is committed to the complete denuclearization of North Korea.”
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“President Trump has voiced his openness to engaging with North Korea,” he said. “Obviously, it takes two to tango in those situations, but we will remain in lockstep with our partners, both Japan and South Korea, among others, as we move forward on that.”