U.S. President Donald Trump threw shade at Japan in an interview on Wednesday, fueling speculations that the American chief may be hinting on dropping U.S. support for the Asian country's defense operations.
According to CNBC, Trump said in a phone interview with Fox Business that while the U.S. will help Japan if it is attacked by other nations, the latter "doesn't have to help" the United States' troops.
Trump's statements have led some economists and political experts to question whether the U.S. president is considering to drop its decades-long treaty with Japan on defense. The two countries signed a defense treaty, stating that American troops need to assist the Asian country if it is attacked.
Analysts noted that Trump appears to be questioning the balance in the treaty since he mentioned that the U.S. has to "fight at all costs" if Japan is attacked. This is not the first time Trump hinted on doubts about the defense agreement.
Bloomberg previously reported that Trump mulled the probability of putting an end to the treaty in secret. On the other hand, the U.S. chief did not release a statement regarding the issue at hand earlier this week.
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga clarified earlier this week that Japan and the U.S. are not in talks regarding the doubts Trump raised about the defense agreement.
The American president has always been vocal about his thoughts on agreements made with other countries. His administration has also been working to hamper deals with countries it deems as taking advantage of the U.S. economy and power.
For over 70 years now, Washington has helped Tokyo defend itself from attacks. In terms of military ties, the U.S. is considered by Japan as one of its major defense allies. Due to Trump's latest comments about the treaty, some analysts suggested that he may be hinting on closing doors for defense assistance to Asia.
As a CNN report put it, Trump has been urging East Asian military allies to step up their efforts in building their own defense systems. He has also been calling out the Japanese government to make purchases from American weaponry companies so it can protect itself from potential attacks.
It is worth noting that Trump's shady statements were made ahead of his attendance at the G20 Summit later this week in Osaka, Japan. He is expected to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other Asian leaders.
Trump will also meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in hopes of settling tensions in the two giant economies' trade dispute that has been raging on for many months.
