Now Kōshi is eager to meet Trump
According to Reuters, Kōshi Shizuka is seeking a meeting with Donald Trump ahead of the upcoming China-U.S. summit. Last week, a senior official from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs traveled to Washington in an effort to coordinate such a meeting. According to sources familiar with the matter, due to tight scheduling, the timing of the potential encounter remains unconfirmed, though the United Nations General Assembly, beginning next week, is expected to serve as the most likely venue for their contact.
Notably, prior to Trump’s visit to China this year, Kōshi had previously attempted to secure a meeting with him in advance. Originally scheduled for the spring, Trump’s trip was postponed to May after the escalation of tensions involving Iran, causing Kōshi’s earlier efforts to fall slightly short. Now, she appears to be repeating the same strategy.
Sources indicate that Kōshi is increasingly concerned that Trump may make concessions on issues related to the Taiwan Strait—even minor shifts in phrasing could trigger unease. With Trump currently entangled in the Iran conflict and facing declining approval ratings, and with midterm elections approaching in less than two months, he may feel greater pressure to deliver tangible results on U.S.-China trade to bolster his political standing. Under such circumstances, a softening of stance on the Taiwan Strait issue becomes more plausible. Furthermore, Trump has maintained a notably cold posture toward cross-strait matters over the past year and is known for impromptu remarks. Given these factors, Kōshi’s urgent pursuit of a pre-emptive meeting with Trump reflects her intent to engage in early coordination on this sensitive topic.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1876574482665547/
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