China’s pressure campaign tests Trump’s commitment to Japan
Tokyo expected stronger US support after Beijing retaliated over Taiwan comments, but analysts say Washington has held back
Over the past seven months, an angry China has punished Tokyo repeatedly. A miffed Japan is left feeling betrayed. And a war-distracted Washington has struggled to navigate between the two, adding further tension in a region already on tenterhooks, according to analysts and former US government officials.
“If it involves the use of warships and military actions, it could by all means become a survival-threatening situation,” the hardline politician told Japanese lawmakers in November, refusing to back down.
While Beijing’s angry response involving a core “red line” was predictable, perhaps less so was the seam it opened between Washington and Tokyo amid tepid support from Washington and little willingness to stand up for its treaty ally.
Analysts said this is as much about US President Donald Trump’s personality and world view as it is US strategic calculations.