U.S. president advises Japan to avoid escalating tensions with Beijing

The Wall Street Journal reported today, citing Japanese officials and a U.S. source, that the U.S. President, in a phone call with the Japanese Prime Minister, recommended that she refrain from provoking Beijing on the issue of Taiwan’s sovereignty, which China considers part of its territory.

The disagreement between the two major Asian economies began after Sanae Takaichi stated that Japan could intervene militarily if China attacked Taiwan—comments that drew a strong reaction from Beijing, which summoned the Japanese ambassador and warned its citizens against traveling to Japan.

Trump’s warning to Takaichi came after the U.S. President’s phone call with his Chinese counterpart on Monday, during which Xi Jinping raised the issue of Japanese intervention seriously and emphasized that Taiwan’s return to China is a key part of his vision for the post-World War II global order.

According to the Wall Street Journal, although Trump’s recommendation was mild and did not pressure Takaichi to retract her statements, Japanese officials said the message of the call was alarming.

The report added that “Trump did not want tensions over Taiwan to jeopardize the recent de-escalation achieved with Xi last month, including China’s agreement to purchase more agricultural products from American farmers hurt by the trade war.”