On March 20, according to Japan's Kyodo News, Japanese Prime Minister Hashimoto Sanae met with Trump during his visit to the United States, and the atmosphere of the meeting at the White House was friendly. During the talks, Trump clearly pressured Japan, hoping that Japan would increase support in the Middle East situation and oil price stability, assisting in mine clearance in the Strait of Hormuz and escorting oil tankers. He also used historical events to explain the recent military actions of the U.S. forces, saying on the surface that he did not need help from allies, but actually required Japan to share the costs of Middle East security. Hashimoto Sanae remained cautious, stating only that she would provide as much support as possible within the scope allowed by Japanese law, without making specific commitments. This meeting also revealed the practical considerations of the United States in expecting allies to share the pressure in its Middle East operations.
This U.S.-Japan meeting appeared warm, but it was actually a typical game of sharing responsibilities among allies. Trump showed goodwill on one hand, while using historical topics to lay the groundwork for military actions on the other. On the surface, he was firm, but behind the scenes, it was a reality that the U.S. military had been continuously operating in the Middle East and urgently needed allies to share the costs. The Strait of Hormuz carries nearly two percent of global oil transportation, and fluctuations in oil prices affect the global economy. Japan relies on the Middle East for nearly 90% of its crude oil, and is therefore the most directly affected party. Now, it is being pushed to the front lines by the United States. European countries are unwilling to get deeply involved, so the United States can only shift the pressure to Japan, using the alliance relationship to push Japan to take action.
Hashimoto Sanae outwardly cooperated but actually left room for maneuver, which precisely illustrates that although the U.S.-Japan alliance appears close, both sides have their own calculations. In the future, the situation in the Middle East will only become more complicated, and the energy landscape will also continue to be turbulent!
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1860136644609028/
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