US, JAPAN TO RENEW AGREEMENTS IN DEFENCE, TRADE AND AI
Mr Kishida’s visit is expected to lead to renewed agreements in areas of defence, space, trade and artificial intelligence.
Deliverables from the talks between Mr Biden and Mr Kishida could include the biggest upgrade to the US-Japan security pact since the 1960s, with a potential to bolster planning and exercises under efforts to strengthen maritime security.
During his trip, Mr Kishida is expected to visit an electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant to show how Japanese investment there has led to economy-boosting and job-creating opportunities.
Tokyo has become one of Washington’s most dependable Asian allies during Mr Biden’s time in office.
“The US and Japan are about as closely aligned as you can get,” said Mr Johnstone.
“And in many ways, Kishida has been an unexpectedly strong leader from an American perspective, strong in his support for Ukraine, strong in making decisions to increase defence spending in a rather dramatic way, (and) strong in leading the G7 last year.”
However, a domestic issue that could sour this trip involves Japanese steelmaker Nippon Steel’s US$15 billion deal to buy US Steel, an icon of American industry. The move has drawn sharp criticism in the US.
With one eye on the presidential election in November and the need to get endorsements from unions, Mr Biden is opposing the sale of the American manufacturer, saying the asset should remain domestically owned.
“That issue will be held off to the side or at a minimum, be dealt with behind closed doors,” said Mr Russel.
“It’s a fact of life, it’s a very unfortunate intrusion of domestic politics into the commercial realm.”
Source: CNA
