"As far as Japan is concerned however, this trip is more of the developing bromance between President Trump and Prime Minister Abe."
President Trump is over in the Land of the Rising Sun visiting one of his new BFF's. That would be Japan and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The talks they will have will center around something we have yet to come to agreement on - the trade imbalance between our two countries. And something on which we have violent agreement on - what to do with the Norks. Of all the places Donald Trump is going to visit on this trip, this stop interests me the most.
First trade. We have our second biggest trade deficit with the country of Japan. True, it is somewhat paltry at $69B compared to what we have with China, but it still needs to be fixed. We make many things which Japan could use. High value items. One of their biggest imports to us is - you guessed it - cars. Been like that since just about forever. Somehow President Trump needs to convince Abe to pare down this deficit without hurting their economy. The last thing we need to do right now is hurt Japan's economy.
Next the Norks. Prime Minister Abe takes the Nork threat about as serious as a heart attack. After all, the Norks have overflown his territory with missiles - twice. Oh yes - the little chubby kid has also threatened to nuke Tokyo. Now Japan knows that the United States will stand with them should the Norks attack. And Japan has procured some state of the art BMD (Ballistic Missile Defense) items from us for protection. That being said, there has been some talk around the Japanese Diet (Parliament) about changing their Constitution. Changing it to allow Japan to house nuclear weapons on their soil.
It is ironic that the only country to suffer under the fire and death of nuclear weapons is now this close with the country which used those weapons against them. Strange bedfellows indeed. One of the reasons the Japanese Constitution might be difficult to change is fear. Many Japanese never, ever want their country to go back to what it was prior to World War II. This is a country which seeks peace and prosperity. The people who live in Japan are some of the nicest and most hospitable people I have met in all my travels. To become a member of the nuclear "club" would definitely be a sea change for the good people who call Japan home.
In any event, this far eastern trip, albeit long, was necessary. Good stops, with a good agenda. I will address my thoughts on the China stop in a subsequent article. That one could produce some fireworks. As far as Japan is concerned however, this trip is more of the developing bromance between President Trump and Prime Minister Abe. And that - is all good.
"Try building your cars in the United States instead of shipping them over. Is that possible to ask? That's not rude. Is that rude? I don't think so," 45 told executives from local automakers during a trip to Japan.
ReplyDeleteJapanese automakers have tried: The country's big three car companies already have huge factories in the U.S., and their production in the country is at a record high.
The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association estimates that its members built nearly 4 million vehicles in the U.S. last year.
Exports from Japan to the U.S. have fallen from 3.5 million cars a year in 1986 to just over 1.5 million in 2016.
Once again, 45 should leave well enough alone.
In Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. From generals in the country, to even the most liberal-minded political party leaders — say the same thing off the record: China is the new power. Trump’s America is waning. And we can extract what we need from him using flattery without giving up anything meaningful.
Anxiously awaiting your China blog.
David Gjerdingen
Re: China
ReplyDeleteXi’s 2050 program aims to bolster “comprehensive national strength and international influence” with the rule of law, innovative companies, a clean environment, an expanding middle class, adequate public transportation and reduced disparities between urban and rural areas. He’s also aiming to rebalance the economy away from a reliance on heavy investment and exports and toward domestic consumption.
And he will complete the Belt-and-Road Initiative -- expected to create more than $1 trillion of investment in rail, highways and ports linking Europe and Asia, doing so while 45 tweets and worries about "crooked Hilary" and plays "golf diplomacy".
Xi’s increasingly focused on China’s economy expanding into high-tech and high value-added jobs and letting other people mine the coal and make the steel. 45’s model of course is just the opposite.
Coal mining jobs! What a doofus!
David Gjerdingen