Kishida Meets Biden After About 10 Days
Ruling Party's No. 2 Sent to Court Trump Side
Former U.S. President Donald Trump and former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso held a meeting. Recently, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida meeting President Biden as a state guest, it is interpreted that the Japanese government is also trying to secure insurance for former President Trump, who may return to the White House.
According to Kyodo News, AP News, and others, former President Trump met with former Prime Minister Aso on the 23rd (local time) at Trump Tower in New York. At the meeting, Trump told reporters, "We like each other," and said, "We will discuss many things including Japan and the United States. It is an honor to meet him."
Former President Trump also spoke of former Prime Minister Aso, saying, "He is a person highly respected in Japan and overseas, and someone I got to know through a very precious friend," recalling the late Shinzo Abe, "I miss Shinzo, who was a great friend and a respected figure."
Former Prime Minister Abe is known to have built a personal friendship with former President Trump, including golf meetings during his tenure. Former Prime Minister Aso, who served as Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in Abe’s cabinet, is also said to have become acquainted with former President Trump by attending their meetings.
When asked by reporters if he had a message for the Japanese people, former President Trump said, "A great country," and added, "We truly respect the Japanese people."
This meeting can be seen as the Kishida administration’s "insurance" in preparation for the possibility of former President Trump winning the U.S. presidential election this November. Earlier, Prime Minister Kishida made a state visit to the U.S. on the 10th and held a summit with President Biden to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. In addition, it is interpreted as a move to establish ties with former President Trump, who may return to the White House, by sending the ruling party’s second-in-command.
Despite likely being mentally and physically exhausted from appearing daily in court for the criminal trial related to the 'hush money' scandal, former President Trump made time to meet with former Prime Minister Aso, showing his sincerity. Trump’s spokesperson Brian Hughes stated in a press release, "World leaders know that being with President Trump is the way to make the world safer and more peaceful."
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