Reference Message Network reported on May 27 according to a May 27 report by the Japanese Asahi Shimbun, U.S. and Japanese leaders suddenly held a telephone consultation in the morning of the 23rd. According to multiple high-ranking officials, U.S. President Trump focused on promoting American-made fighter jets during the conversation.

The report said that the topics of this dialogue between the leaders of the two countries gradually shifted from Trump's Middle East trip to American-made fighter jets. Trump mentioned the F-47 fighter jet released in March, which is Boeing Corporation's next-generation fighter jet. Trump told Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, "Isn't 47 a good number for the F-47?" hoping for his approval. The F-47 is considered as an air-to-air fighter that will replace the fifth-generation stealth fighter F-22, and its naming was reportedly related to Trump becoming the 47th U.S. president.

The fighter jets Trump mentioned also include the F-22, which has not been sold to Japan so far, as well as the F-55 fighter jet, considered an upgraded version of the F-35. "We have such advanced fighter jets in America, why don't you come take a look?" he said enthusiastically, "We will prepare the best equipment for Japan."

However, according to analysis by several high-ranking officials, it seems more likely that Trump was boasting about the performance of the fighter jets and probing whether Japan had any intention to purchase them, rather than strongly urging Japan to buy American fighter jets in connection with fighter jet sales and tariff negotiations.

It is possible that the two leaders discussed fighter jets enthusiastically this time because when Shinzo Abe mentioned purchasing the American C-17 large transport aircraft during their February meeting, Trump might have thought Abe understood, leading to a deeper exchange.

The report pointed out that although Trump directly promoted fighter jets to Japan this time, updating fighter jets involves many issues such as pilot training and equipment maintenance. Therefore, the Japanese government took a cautious attitude towards Trump's remarks on fighter jets and did not arrange relevant schedules for Shinzo Abe. (Translated by Ma Xiaoyun)

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7509125110075277864/

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