Headlines:
- US-Japan tariff talks gain momentum with direct leader phone calls
- Trump backs Nippon-US Steel “partnership” after 2nd CFIUS review
- Japan considers accepting students from Harvard after Trump ban
- Philippine multilat exercise Kamandag has first Japan-ROK operation
- US, Japan, ROK secretariat meeting pledges continued trilat efforts
Details:
- US Treasury Secretary Bessent and Commerce Secretary Lutnick met Japan’s chief trade negotiator Minister Akazawa in Washington for a 4th round of tariff reduction talks May 30 just after a US court ruled Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs were applied illegally, raising questions about their future status (24% “reciprocal” tariffs on Japan struck down, while auto, steel, and aluminum tariffs are okay). The meeting followed two phone calls between PM Ishiba and President Trump on May 23 and 29 during which they “further deepened mutual understanding” on an agreement framework that could include investment in semiconductors, shipbuilding, and critical minerals. They are slated to meet on the sidelines of the G7 in Canada in June, after one more round of planned minister talks. Japan approved a $6.3 billion spending package May 27 to “fully support” businesses and households adversely affected by the tariffs.
- President Trump expressed support for a “partnership” between Nippon Steel and US Steel on May 24. Following a 2nd CFIUS review and a split recommendation, the agencies believed any national security risks could be mitigated. Trump asserted that the partnership would keep US Steel in Pittsburgh, create at least 70,000 jobs, and add $14 billion to the US economy (all part of the original deal). How “partnership” differs from the previous acquisition plan is unclear, but the Trump administration is proposing the US government would have a controlling vote on certain corporate decisions. Nippon Steel has not commented on these characterizations, and the steelworkers union remains wary.
- Japan’s ministry of education asked the country’s universities to consider accepting foreign students enrolled at Harvard on May 27. The request comes after the Trump admin halted foreign student enrollment, triggering a lawsuit. Despite a court order overturning the ban, extended on May 29, The University of Tokyo and Kyoto University expressed interest in accepting and assisting affected students. Meanwhile, US State Dept May 30 ordered embassies and consulates to begin “additional vetting” of student visa seekers by reviewing their online history. There are around 16,000 Japanese students studying at universities across the US, a number that has grown since the pandemic.
- The annual US-Philippines exercise Kamandag featured a joint operation between Japan and South Korea for the first time on May 26. This year’s natural disaster focus gave Japan’s Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade an opportunity to train with South Korean marines in tsunami rescue. The 12 days of training across the Palawan and Luzon islands boosts multinational military readiness, interoperability, and regional defense. COL Jason Armas underscored allied collective resolve. Separately, the US, Japan, and Australia began exercise Southern Jackaroo in Queensland. The four-weeklong exercise between the allies stressed harsh conditions and joint combat operations.
- Representatives from the US, Japan, and South Korea met in Washington DC for a meeting of the Trilateral Coordinating Secretariat Managing Board on May 19. The diplomats reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to trilateral cooperation and discussed greater information sharing and strengthening joint responses to crises.
“US-Japan Alliance Digest” is a bi-weekly summary of bilateral and related developments compiled by Sasakawa USA’s “US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative.” To receive “Alliance Digest” via email, contact egulum@spfusa.org.
