Trump- Abe summit won’t alter US’ policy
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump held a summit meeting on February 10 in Washington DC. Abe’s tour took place when Trump’s newly released immigration ban attracted widespread criticism. Tokyo was hoping that the visit, considered as Japan’s timely support to the White House, can help build a close personal relationship between Abe and Trump.
After the meeting, Abe traveled to Trump’s private resort in Florida via Air Force One to spend the weekend together with the US president. Japanese media widely reported the story as proof that their personal relationship has been solidified. As a matter of fact, attempting to achieve Japan’s diplomatic goals through developing personal ties with foreign leaders has been Abe’s usual diplomatic tactic.
According to an article published in The Asahi Shimbun on April 30 last year, “Abe has repeatedly held meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to develop a closer personal relationship to resolve the long- standing territorial dispute over the Northern Territories.” In Trump’s case, Abe has not only given him a golf driver when they first met in November, but also played 27 holes of golf with Trump on this trip. Therefore, some media are calling the meeting “golf diplomacy.”
Trump’s smile can be seen at all times during Abe’s visit. But do their smiling faces represent what they really think? Can personal ties between heads of states bridge the gap in their national interests?
It is common sense in international politics that the objective of any countries’ foreign policies is to advance their own national interests. That being said, personal ties among top leaders do not have a big impact on diplomatic relations between countries.
This time, Abe brought a package which is expected to generate 700,000 US jobs and help create a $ 450 billion market to Trump. This is perhaps the main reason behind the latter’s smiley faces. For Japan, apart from its highly hyped friendship with Trump, the most pragmatic achievement on this trip is Trump’s assurance that the US- Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security covers the Diaoyu Islands. But the assurance has also been made by former US presidents. For instance, Barack Obama said in April 2014 that the Diaoyu Islands “fall within the scope of Article 5 of the US- Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security.” In other words, Trump got a lucrative gift from an overjoyed Japan by striking up the same old tune.
Since assuming office, Trump cre- ated a great disturbance in the global community with his belief that many iron- clad laws in international relations can be sold at the right price. Tokyo has paid an enormous economic price for a promise that has only been reiterated without any practical action. If Japan really needs Americans to support its territorial claims at the cost of their lives one day, will Abe be able to offer what Trump asks for? For the moment, it is unknown whether US will grant Tokyo’s wish.
Apart from practical interests, national image, which is established on morality and justice, is also a critical factor in building diplomacy. The Diaoyu Islands are an inherent part of China’s territory. This is a widely acknowledged fact. Denying it will undoubtedly break the current global order. Since the immigration ban has already blotted the US national image, sabotaging Beijing-- Washington relations will only make matters worse. Trump won’t be pleased with it. That’s why he mentioned the “very warm conversation” with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the joint press conference with Abe.
The Trump- Abe summit will not overturn the current trend in the Asia-Pacific region. Compared with China, which is in persistent pursuit of peaceful development, North Korea, which just launched a ballistic missile, is more likely a variable that can trigger greater regional tension. After all, whether Abe and Trump feel like old friends at the first summit meeting, the imaginary China threat theory won’t be the factor to hold together US- Japan ties.