Reference News Network July 2 report: The Bloomberg News website published an article titled "Is the 'Golden Age' of U.S.-Japan Relations Fading?" by Jirode Riddy. The following is an excerpt:

In January this year, U.S. President Trump described the U.S.-Japan relationship as "rare," and he believed "the cherished alliance between our two countries will continue to flourish for a long time to come."

Less than half a year later, has the glow of the so-called "new golden age" of bilateral relations already faded?

Originally expected to quickly reach an agreement, the trade negotiations between the two countries have now become extremely difficult, and the July 9 deadline is approaching rapidly. With reports that the United States has asked Japan to increase its defense spending, Japan canceled a high-level U.S.-Japan defense meeting that it usually eagerly participates in. The differences in views between Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru on the Middle East situation have also widened.

Certainly, the biggest obstacle is tariffs. Japan had hoped that its unique relationship with the U.S. would help it avoid being subjected to unilateral U.S. tariffs. After this effort failed, it was widely believed that Tokyo would soon reach an agreement with Washington. However, on the contrary, although Japan's chief negotiator Akasawa Ryo has been shuttling back and forth between Japan and the U.S., the gap between the two sides still seems large.

Surprisingly, Japan has taken a firm stance, insisting that the U.S. make a full concession on car tariffs and reminding that it will not accept an unsatisfactory result just for a quick agreement. Japanese media reported that the two leaders might reach an agreement during the G7 summit held in Canada, but Trump left the summit early, and Ishiba returned empty-handed.

Worse still, the differences between the two countries on defense issues are growing. Japan has been trying to persuade the U.S. to discuss trade and security as two separate issues. However, according to a report by the Financial Times, Japan then canceled the "2+2" talks between defense and foreign ministers of the two countries due to dissatisfaction with the U.S. request for Japan to further increase its defense spending.

It is unclear what specific numbers the U.S. has proposed. Japan denies that the U.S. has asked it to increase defense spending, but recent reports indicate that Washington hopes Tokyo will raise its defense spending to between 3% and 5% of its GDP. But Japan finds it difficult to even meet the target of 2% of GDP, let alone increase further. Most problematic is that Ishiba has consistently opposed setting any numerical targets, arguing that it is more important to determine how the funds are used. In addition, Ishiba has also canceled his plan to attend the NATO meeting in The Hague.

Analysts believe that as long as it serves political needs, Ishiba is willing to highlight some issues in the U.S.-Japan relationship. He quickly called the U.S. tariffs on Japan a "national crisis," which is language typically used by Japanese leaders during earthquakes, tsunamis, or the COVID-19 pandemic. This approach provides Ishiba with cover amid challenges from within and outside the Liberal Democratic Party.

Even without the influence of Trump, there have always been doubts about how Ishiba, who hopes to establish a more equal relationship with Washington, would view Japan's position in the world. (Translated by Pan Xiaoyan)

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7522419760819094059/

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