JAKARTA - US President Donald Trump will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba for the first time in the midst of the heated import tariff policy which a number of countries consider a trade war.
Trump is taking a more conventional approach to Washington's longtime allies in Asia-Pacific, including Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the Philippines.
But the friendship may be put to the test when Trump's initial dispute with China over synthetic opioids and tariff warnings against other countries including Japan threatens to disrupt commercial relations in Asia and its surroundings.
Trump charges a tariff of 10 percent on all imports from China in what he calls the opening volo in the center between the two largest economies in the world, thus making consumers and businesses try to adjust.
Japan relies heavily on trade. Japan is a major exporter and relies on imports for most of its food and natural resources, and many Japanese companies are investing heavily and dependent on China.
Tokyo has the same view on China as Trump's national security team on Beijing's global ambitions and its vast territorial claims in Asia, including an important chip-producing island, Taiwan.
At the same time, Japanese officials are wary of Beijing's possible attempts to woo US president with promises of cooperation on global key issues, including trade. Trump spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping days before taking office and said he would soon discuss import product rates with him.
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Japanese officials who spoke privately said they felt comfortable dealing with Trump's aggressive figures in China, including Foreign Minister Marco Rubio and national security official Michael Waltz.
But they are not very comfortable with people in government who have strong business ties to Beijing, such as billionaire Elon Musk, who has developed a significant power base in Washington.
Trump and Ishiba are expected to hold a joint press conference on Friday afternoon local time.
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