The leaders of Japan and the Philippines will visit Washington this week for a first trilateral summit aimed at strengthening defence ties, following four-way military drills in the South China Sea that enraged Beijing.
A significant improvement of military command structures between the United States and a more self-confident Japan might be disclosed, as could coordinated coast guard operations with Manila in contested areas with China.
The agenda will also include safeguarding access to critical commodities such as semiconductors and rare metals, North Korea’s escalating belligerence, and President Joe Biden’s opposition to Japan’s takeover of US Steel.
“The summit’s goal is to advance a trilateral partnership built on deep historical ties of friendship, robust and growing economic relations… and a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific”, the White House noted.
Before leaving Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated that the Japan-US partnership is more ironclad than ever and that his trip will demonstrate this message to the world.
China’s foreign ministry stated on Monday that it is opposed to the cobbling together of exclusive small circles and confrontation between different groups in the region.
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