Takaichi insists on "economic security" Trump calls for "no alliances after victory" and Europe calls for "post-war support"
On the 19th, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi insisted on "economic security," U.S. President Trump called for prioritizing participation in the war, stating "no alliances after victory," while the European Union announced "post-war support" in a joint statement.
During a White House summit, Prime Minister Takaichi demanded that economic growth take precedence over "economic security" for "shared prosperity," while President Trump stated that it is "unnecessary after winning the war" and that "the Strait of Hormuz is a very difficult situation."
In a joint statement on the same day, EU leaders called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a halt to attacks on water and energy infrastructure in the Middle East, announcing the stabilization of energy transport and "de-escalation and maximum restraint" by the warring parties. The EU had previously ignored U.S. President Trump's request to dispatch military assets to secure the Strait of Hormuz, and on the 18th, Trump, angered by NATO's refusal to secure the Strait of Hormuz, accepted to manage the strait alone.
Prime Minister Takaichi announced a $73 billion investment in the construction of two Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) under the Trump administration in an independent announcement immediately following the summit, under the framework of "economic security."
Kyodo News reported that immediately after the summit, he stated, "We have announced a second project including the construction of SMRs," adding that it is "a very important sector considering the increasing demand for electricity and the situation in the Middle East."
On the 20th, the Blue House announced, “As the international community, including the UN Security Council and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), views the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz as serious and has raised the need for a joint international response, several countries are reviewing ways to contribute to ensure free passage in the Strait of Hormuz.”
The Blue House added, “Based on this, our government holds the fundamental position that it hopes the global maritime logistics network can be normalized as soon as possible. Accordingly, we are carefully reviewing response measures while taking into account our domestic laws and procedures as well as our readiness posture on the Korean Peninsula.”
With this announcement, the Blue House excluded the results where the countries to which President Trump personally requested troop deployment expressed a ‘rejection.’ It appears to be an attempt to shape domestic public opinion to support the announcement of ‘troop deployment at the request of international organizations,’ based on an artificially constructed scenario.
Unlike Japan, the Lee Jae-myung administration signed a "transition to a military cooperation regime" at the White House summit last July and committed to investment in the construction of naval vessels and shipyards through $150 billion in MASGA support under the U.S. military logistics system.
Subsequently, at the Gyeongju summit in October, it agreed on "Korea-U.S. military cooperation" by establishing a "military nuclear support regime for Korea" through an agreement to build "nuclear submarines to counter China," thereby demonstrating prior coordination for "coordinated troop deployment" under the U.S. military logistics system.
In his New Year's press conference, President Lee announced Korea as a "party to nuclear disarmament negotiations" regarding the strategy for securing military nuclear weapons, stating that "since there is no intention to possess nuclear weapons, the denuclearization of North Korea constitutes the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula." This internationally declared a "transition to a potential nuclear power," transcending the status of a nuclear umbrella state through the U.S. Forces Korea. This signified Korea's acceptance of U.S. troop deployment requests by establishing a logistical support system for the U.S., unlike Japan, establishing itself as an independent military power.
In his strategies for a military powerhouse and the KOSPI 5000 index, President Lee shifted the focus from a strong military buildup to a capitalist system where the public accumulates wealth through the stock market. By establishing a system to boost the stock market through intervention in overseas wars, he demonstrated active cooperation and participation in the Trump administration's initiation of eight wars.
Japan agreed to a $550 billion investment in the U.S. under the Trump administration to 'maintain the economic security system,' whereas the Lee Jae-myung administration agreed to a $650 billion investment ($350 billion in investment, $150 billion in MASGA investment, and $200 billion in investment by chaebol companies) to transform the 'security with the U.S., economic cooperation with Japan' stance into a 'unified entity of security and economic cooperation with the U.S.' through the establishment of a military cooperation system with the U.S., and since the goal was a strategy to be promoted to a leading nation in arms buildup, there was a fundamental gap from the beginning.
Japan specified in the joint document of the summit with the U.S. last October that NuScale Power, a U.S. company dealing with Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for AI power, was considering participation, and announced an investment in two SMRs at this summit.
At the U.S.-Japan summit, President Trump said, "They (NATO) do not want to help defend the strait, but they are the people they need," adding, "(Requesting an aircraft carrier from the UK) was what was wanted before the war. It is unnecessary after winning the war. Looking at my attitude, their attitude has improved a lot. But it is already too late."
All leaders of the 27 European Union countries, known as the Council of Europe, issued a joint statement on Thursday urging the stabilization of energy transport and "de-escalation and maximum restraint" by the warring parties.
The EU statement, reported by AP, stated that "the Council of Europe regrets the loss of civilian life and is closely monitoring the broad impact of hostilities, including economic stability."
The leaders also called on Iran to stop attacks on neighboring countries across the Persian Gulf, sought international cooperation to prevent a large-scale refugee crisis in the Middle East, and revealed that some EU countries are seeking "ways to guarantee freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz."
During Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin's visit to the White House on the 18th, Trump told reporters, "In fact, we don't need help," complaining that "NATO allies expected billions of dollars in U.S. aid to prevent a Russian invasion, but failed to reciprocate for the efforts of the U.S. and Israel to resolve Iran, which has been a threat in the Middle East and beyond for years."
He added, "The United States has spent hundreds of billions of dollars strengthening defenses in Europe and Asia."
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that his country could only provide support for issues such as securing sea lanes once the war ends, and spoke about potential military assistance to secure sea lanes in the Strait of Hormuz.
"We can and will promise to deploy only when the arms are quiet," he said. "After that, we can do many things, such as opening and controlling sea lanes, but we are not doing so during the current combat operations."
He further stated regarding military assistance, "Complex procedures, such as international approval, are required before considering such issues." Dutch Prime Minister Rob Zetten said he understands why the U.S. and Israel launched a campaign against the "brutal" Iranian government, and urged the EU to strengthen sanctions against Iran and support for Iranian rebels.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the war as "illegal" and inciting instability.
"We oppose this war because it is illegal," said Prime Minister Sánchez. "This war is preventing civilians, refugees, and the economic damage already being suffered by the world, especially the Global South."
Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silinaga said, "Trump mentioned NATO support for opening the Strait of Hormuz but did not officially request it," adding, "I believe that when there is an official request, it must always be evaluated."
The European Commission added that member states possess various financial tools available to lower energy prices, and this will be a subject of discussion. EU leaders hope to make similar efforts toward energy independence, drawing on their experience of reducing Russian energy use and increasing military spending for self-sufficiency following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
While some European capitals have called for the suspension or abolition of climate policies to prevent the recent surge in energy prices caused by war, others argue that the EU's long-term energy strategy must be domestically produced sustainable energy separated from the fragile fossil fuel market.
Leaders of Italy, Austria, Croatia, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia asked Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to slow the pace of the EU emissions trading system.
AP reported that this letter was "too steep and overly ambitious given the fragility of today's economic ecosystem."
During a somewhat friendly summit with Prime Minister Kakáčić in the Oval Office, President Trump referenced the Japanese attack of December 7, 1941. Regarding the surprising scene from the meeting, The New York Times reported on the 20th, “This attack led the United States into World War II.” The report stated, “After the end of World War II, President Truman used the attack on Pearl Harbor to justify U.S. efforts to rebuild American society and enforce a pacifist constitution. (The United States led the Allied occupation of Japan from 1945 to 1952.) The constitution forced Japan to renounce war and limit its military power, making Tokyo dependent on U.S. protection.”
This scene occurred when Trump responded to a reporter’s question regarding why Japan and other allies were not notified in advance of the U.S.-Israel attack on Iran.
Trump said, “We didn’t tell anyone because we wanted a surprise,” adding, “There are people who know about surprises better than Japan, you know? Why didn’t we talk about Pearl Harbor, you know? Right?”
Laughter erupted among the officials and reporters gathered in the room.
Trump added, “You seem to believe in surprises much more than we do.”
While President Trump was speaking, Prime Minister Takaichi appeared to widen her eyes and take a deep breath. She remained silent with her arms crossed and resting on her knees.
The New York Times reported, “This remark was the latest example of President Trump’s tendency to disregard diplomatic norms,” adding, “During the Cold War, the United States shifted its official description of the attack from condemning Japan to framing it as a historical tragedy. As communism spread across Asia, U.S. officials were eager to maintain Tokyo as an ally and conclude security and economic treaties.”
In 2016, 75 years after Imperial Japanese fighter planes damaged the Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, President Barack Obama visited the site of the attack with then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and said, “I mourn the souls of those who lost their lives here.”
President Obama and Prime Minister Abe laid a wreath of white peace lilies at the memorial.
President Obama detailed what happened on the day of the attack, highlighted the heroic actions of U.S. soldiers, and said that Prime Minister Abe’s visit “reminds us of what is possible between nations and peoples.” President Trump's predecessors have avoided speaking at length about Pearl Harbor in front of Japanese leaders.
Regarding these remarks, Mireya Solisga, director of the Brookings Institution's Center for Asian Policy, told the NYT, "There has been a really deep process of reconciliation between the U.S. and Japan." She added that Mr. Trump's comments were "unusual and shocking. The purpose of this visit is to emphasize the strong bond that binds Japan and the U.S. together—that is, a shared vision—not a divided past or the fierce competition and conflict of war."
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