Japan Brutally Rejects Trump’s Order as It Expands Ties with U.S. Foes: End of Japan–U.S. Alliance?

Japan Brutally Rejects Trump’s Order as It Expands Ties with U.S. Foes: End of Japan–U.S. Alliance?

We have used several references for making this video. Here are further details:
1. South China Morning Post (via Bloomberg), April 25, 2025: “Japan to oppose Trump pressure to join anti-China trade bloc.” – This report quotes current and former Japanese officials saying Japan will push back against U.S. efforts to form an economic bloc aimed at China, due to Japan’s significant trade ties with Beijing. It notes Japan’s focus on its own interests and that Tokyo has privately informed China it doesn’t fully support U.S. semiconductor export restrictions. It also mentions Japan’s effort to get China to lift its ban on Japanese seafood imports.
2. Reuters, April 17, 2025: “Trump hails ‘big progress’ in Japan tariff talks.” – News piece detailing high-level tariff negotiations between the U.S. and Japan in Washington. It describes Trump’s unexpected involvement in talks, his declaration of “Big Progress,” and Japan’s negotiation stance. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is quoted as saying talks won’t be easy but Trump made it a top priority. It outlines the 90-day pause of 24% tariffs (with 10% baseline still on) and a 25% auto tariff in place, and notes Japan’s hope to reach a deal within that window. Also includes expert analysis (Tobias Harris) suggesting any quick deal will likely be limited in scope.
3. Reuters, April 17, 2025: “Japan’s exports expand in March as US tariffs feared to hit economy broadly.” – This article provides context on Japan’s economic situation amid the tariff threat. It states Trump introduced a 25% tariff on imported vehicles and threatened 24% on all Japanese goods (cut to 10% temporarily). It includes data on Japan’s export trends and commentary from economists about potential impacts of U.S. tariffs on Japan’s economy (e.g. slower exports, pressure on wages). Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda is cited warning of uncertainty from Trump’s tariffs. The piece highlights how Japanese firms were front-loading exports to the U.S. and even adjusting production because of tariff risks.
4. Fox Business (citing Wall Street Journal), April 16, 2025: “Trump admin planning to isolate China in tariff pressure campaign.” – This report reveals the U.S. strategy of leveraging tariff negotiations with over 70 countries to get them to reduce economic ties with China. It outlines demands such as blocking Chinese shipping and investment and cutting off cheap Chinese goods, in exchange for lower U.S. tariffs. It notes that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent proposed this “isolation” strategy and that Trump aimed to force China into a deal by building a global coalition. Japan is mentioned as attending talks covering tariffs and even defense cost-sharing, with Trump linking trade fairness to the broader relationship.
5. Fox Business, April 21, 2025: “China threatens countermeasures against countries that ‘appease’ US on trade war.” – This piece covers China’s response to the U.S. pressure campaign. It cites a Chinese Commerce Ministry statement warning that China will firmly retaliate against any country that strikes a trade deal with the U.S. “at the expense of China’s interests.” The statement includes strong quotes (“China will never accept it… will resolutely take countermeasures,” “appeasement will not bring peace”). This illustrates the risk of Chinese retaliation that Japan and others face if they openly side with U.S. trade demands. It also notes the high tariff levels (145% by U.S., 125% by China) in the escalating tariff war.
6. Kyodo News, April 10, 2025: “90-day reprieve from U.S. reciprocal tariffs ‘positive’: Japan.” – A Japanese perspective on the tariff pause. It describes how Prime Minister Ishiba and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi reacted to Trump’s temporary suspension of new tariffs. Ishiba called the U.S. tariffs regrettable and vowed to take all steps to mitigate impacts on Japan’s economy. Hayashi is quoted saying Japan has strongly urged the U.S. to review the measures and will continue to push for removal of remaining tariffs (including steel, aluminum, autos). This source provides official Japanese statements underscoring their efforts to seek relief and disagreement with the U.S. approach.
7. Wikipedia & Trade Data (various years): Information on Japan-China trade volume and agreements. For instance, data showing China as Japan’s largest trading partner (with bilateral trade around $300 billion annually) and details on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade pact. RCEP, which took effect in 2022, includes both Japan and China and is the world’s largest trading bloc, indicating Japan’s commitment to multilateral trade frameworks that include China. These references help contextualize Japan’s trade relationships and the scale of economic interdependence involved.