President Trump has considered withdrawing the United States from a defense treaty with Japan which has been fundamental to the two countries’ relationship for almost 70 years.
Three sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg News Monday that Trump considered recently pulling the U.S. out of the 1951 post-World War II defense treaty.
The president is reportedly unhappy that the pact requires the U.S. to come to the defense of Japan if attacked but does not require Japan to aid the U.S.
Withdrawing from the treaty could cause an arms race in Asia after Japan agreed to give away to the U.S. any effective means to its self-defense.
Despite the consideration, Trump has taken no steps toward withdrawing from the treaty and administration officials say it is unlikely the U.S. would make such a move.
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yshihide Suga said that Trump had told them the reports were false.
“There is no such talk as is mentioned in the report. We have confirmed with the U.S. president that (the report) is inconsistent with the American government’s position,” Suga said Tuesday.
He continued, saying that the “Japan-U.S. alliance is the linchpin of our diplomatic and national defense policy.”
Trump is planning on making a second trip to Japan for the G20 summit at the end of June.
