As part of Liberty Nation’s deep dive analysis of President Donald Trump’s tour of Asia, we’ll be examining what events take place, the significance of them, and most importantly, the ever-present leftist media spin.
Today is the first official day of the tour and the president has landed in Japan. It is one of the most noteworthy visits in terms of dealing with nuclear threats in the region. Still, expectations in the leftist press are low for a positive outcome.
The Background
Relations between Japan and the U.S. have been respectable under the Trump presidency. With close cooperation on business and military affairs, Japan has been a firm ally of America for decades; the positioning of military bases in the region is a major part of the U.S. Pacific strategy.
During the presidential campaign, President Trump was standoffish with Japan, but since his inauguration relations with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have been incredibly constructive. U.S. Ambassador to Japan, William Hagerty said, “I think there is no better relationship than the one between Prime Minister [Shinzo] Abe and President [Donald] Trump, in the world today, among two world leaders.”
The Events
Already, President Trump has visited the Yokota air base in Tokyo where he gave a rousing speech to U.S. troops stationed there. He was well-received and made clear that he is fully behind the military. The president also took the opportunity to take a veiled swipe at the North Korean dictator:
“You are the greatest hope for people, who desire to live in freedom, and you are the greatest threat to tyrants and dictators who seek to prey on the innocent.”
“History has proven over and over that the road of the tyrant is a steady march towards poverty, suffering, and servitude,” Trump said. “But the path of strong nations and free peoples, certain of their values and confident in their futures, is a proven path to prosperity and peace.”
President Trump took his usual approach to diplomacy by playing a round of golf with the Japanese prime minister.
The Expectations
The foremost matters discussed will likely be how to draw up joint cooperation and a united front for dealing with North Korean aggression. The last two missile launches from Kim have both been over Japanese territory; a stark and immediate warning.
Prime Minister Abe will be looking for assurances that Japan remains a priority for the president and that his country can rely on a “full measure” of support in defense. President Trump will be trying to cement the relationship. By having such support from Abe, Trump can better answer critics who accuse him of poor foreign relations.
The Spin
Whilst most news agencies have kept the reporting straight, some of the more left-leaning groups have used this as an opportunity to take a swipe at the president. Several news sites are reporting that President Trump “insulted” the Japanese people by calling them a race of “Samurais” who should have shot down the North Korean missiles. This spin is based on old comments drudged up to coincide with his visit.
Someone should tell these sites that calling Japanese folk Samurais is not exactly an insult to them.
Behind the Curtain
This visit is not the beginning of relations, but the continuation. Both Trump and Abe are political brawlers who have weathered their share of media condemnation. They are both committed to a solid U.S –Japan partnership in terms of trade and defense. They both want the North Korea situation to be solved through diplomacy BUT without the loss of face involved in political pandering.
It is fairly likely that the men will be discussing strategies in advance of the APEC (the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum) and ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) talks to ensure they can get better deals on the table.
Prime Minister Abe is not afraid of appearing to get on with President Trump (as many world leaders are); if proof were needed, the two spent a brief time signing white caps with the slogan “Donald and Shinzo Make Alliance Even Greater.”
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Check back in with Liberty Nation tomorrow to get more on this historic Grand Tour.
