US President Joe Biden met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo on Monday and was due to unveil a multilateral trade initiative this afternoon as part of his efforts to reinvigorate US strategic power in Asia- Peaceful.
I had a very productive three days in the Republic of Korea.
Looking forward to what we will accomplish in Tokyo next.
pic.twitter.com/SJPM28Xcrn
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 23, 2022
After a three-day visit to South Korea, another key Washington ally, Joe Biden also met with Japanese Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace.
Update on his statements.
Strengthening American leadership in the Asia-Pacific region
U.S. officials say Japan and South Korea remain the linchpins of the U.S. posture in the face of China's rise, and as partners in a Western-led alliance to isolate Russia after its invasion of China. 'Ukraine.
“Japan is a key world power” and “the alliance between the United States and Japan has long been the cornerstone of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific”, explained Joe Biden after his meeting with Fumio Kishida.
But Joe Biden wants to go further.
He is due to join the leaders of Australia, India and Japan for a summit of an informal alliance called Quad.
This is a "critical opportunity to exchange views and continue to foster practical cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region," the White House added.
Joe Biden is to unveil a much-anticipated trade initiative, also aimed at cementing US presence in the region, dubbed the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).
This agreement brings together a total of 13 nations.
“It is a commitment to work with our close friends and partners in the region, on the challenges that matter most to ensuring economic competitiveness in the 21st century,” added the US President.
Unlike traditional trading blocs, IPEF members are not expected to negotiate tariffs and facilitate market access, practices that have become unpopular with the American public who fear threats to local production.
The program plans to onboard trading partners with agreed standards in four main areas: digital economy, supply chains, clean energy infrastructure and anti-corruption measures.
So far, the White House has remained silent on the number of potential future signatory countries and is still wondering how the standards will be able to be applied.
India, a member of the Quad, has so far distinguished itself by its refusal to openly condemn Moscow over the war in Ukraine or to reduce its trade with Russia.
Joe Biden is expected to have a one-on-one talk Tuesday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Biden wants North Korea back at the negotiating table
With Pyongyang, relations have remained at a standstill since the failure of a summit in 2019 between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and then US President Donald Trump (2017-2021).
However, Kim Jong Un can fire a new missile or carry out a nuclear test at any time.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the threat was still present and Pyongyang had a choice.
“If North Korea acts, we will be prepared to respond.
If North Korea does not act, it has the opportunity, as we have already said, to come back to the negotiating table.
But according to US officials, Pyongyang has so far refused to heed calls for dialogue, ignoring even offers of help to combat a sudden outbreak of Covid-19.
Hands off Taiwan
Chinese pressure on the island is causing growing concern.
If the Japanese Prime Minister could announce an increase in Japanese defense spending, Joe Biden says he wants to preserve stability in the region.
Nevertheless, US President Joe Biden has warned in Tokyo that the United States will militarily defend Taiwan if Beijing invades the self-governing island, warning that China is "flirting with danger".
"That's the commitment we made," he said when asked if the United States would intervene militarily against a Chinese attempt to seize the territory by force.
“We agreed with the one China policy, we signed it (…) but the idea that (Taiwan) can be taken by force is simply not appropriate,” he said. he adds.
In addition, Japan and the United States "will monitor the recent activities of the Chinese navy, as well as the movements related to the joint exercises of China and Russia", Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Monday after his meeting. with US President Joe Biden.
"We strongly oppose attempts to change the status quo by force in the East China Sea and the South China Sea," said the Japanese Prime Minister.
But towards a relaxation of economic relations with China
US President Joe Biden is considering lifting tariff barriers for China, stressing that they were not imposed by his administration.
“We did not impose these tariff barriers,” he said when he was questioned by the press on the possibility of lifting them, adding that their lifting was “under study”.
Russia will have to “pay a long-term price”
US President Joe Biden believes that Russia "must pay a long-term price" for its "barbarity in Ukraine" in terms of sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies.
"It's not just about Ukraine," he explained.
Because if “the sanctions were not maintained in many respects, then what signal would that send to China about the cost of an attempt to take Taiwan by force?
he wondered.
Still the possibility of avoiding the economic recession in the United States
A recession in the United States can be avoided, President Joe Biden assured Monday, while acknowledging the serious economic difficulties of Americans in the face of galloping inflation.
Speaking in Tokyo, Mr Biden simply answered "no" when asked if a recession was inevitable in the United States.