Former Japanese PM Taro Aso Meets with Donald Trump Ahead of 2024 Election

Former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, a senior figure in Japan's ruling party, met with former U.S. President Donald Trump on April 24, 2024 in New York. The meeting discussed the U.S.-Japan alliance, security challenges posed by China and North Korea, and Japan's increased defense spending.

Aso, who previously served as deputy prime minister and finance minister under former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, is considered a close friend of the late Japanese leader. Abe was a close ally of Trump during his presidency. The meeting comes as U.S. allies prepare for the possibility of Trump winning the presidency again in the upcoming election.

Trump welcomed Aso, calling him a "highly respected man in Japan and beyond" and someone he has "liked and known." The meeting was part of Trump's "shadow diplomacy" as he campaigns to return to the White House in the November elections.

Why this matters: The meeting highlights the recognition of Trump's potential return to the presidency and the impact it could have on global affairs. Japan has been trying to connect with people close to Trump ahead of the election, reflecting concerns that if he wins, Trump could resurrect protectionist trade measures or take other steps that could hurt the Japanese economy or impact strong defense ties with the U.S.

During the meeting, Trump also criticized the exchange rate between the yen and the dollar, calling it a "disaster for our manufacturers and others." The current Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, recently visited the White House and announced plans to upgrade U.S.-Japan military relations amid concerns about North Korea and China.

The meeting marks the latest effort by a foreign country to shore up ties with Trump as polls show an extremely close rematch between him and President Joe Biden. Trump has been meeting with other foreign officials, including British, Polish, and Hungarian leaders, while also criticizing the policies of the current administration. "The world will be more secure and America will be more prosperous" under a Trump presidency, according to his spokesperson.

Key Takeaways

• Former Japanese PM Taro Aso met with ex-US President Trump in NYC on April 24, 2024.
• The meeting discussed US-Japan alliance, security challenges, and Japan's defense spending.
• Aso is considered a close friend of late Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, a Trump ally.
• The meeting reflects Japan's efforts to connect with Trump ahead of the 2024 election.
• Trump criticized the yen-dollar exchange rate and praised a potential Trump presidency.