Donald Trump

WASHINGTON, March 7, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - President Donald Trump said Japan is
not required to protect the United States militarily and makes "a fortune"
from it economically, as he fired off an impromptu broadside at a key ally.

It came as Japan's trade minister is arranging a trip to Washington during
which he will reportedly demand an exemption from imminent US tariffs on
steel and aluminum.

"We have a great relationship with Japan. But we have an interesting deal
with Japan that we have to protect them, but they don't have to protect us,"
Trump said Thursday.

"And by the way, they make a fortune with us economically," he said. "I
actually ask, who makes these deals?"

In response, government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said Friday that Japan
trusts Washington to keep its obligation to the two countries' security
treaty.

Around 54,000 US military personnel are stationed in Japan, mostly in the
Okinawa region east of Taiwan.

Meanwhile Tokyo's economy, trade and industry minister Yoji Muto told
reporters that he hoped his US trip would "be a win-win for both Japanese and
US national interests."

He said the visit was being coordinated and did not confirm the March 9-13
dates given by Japanese media or reports that he will push US officials to
exempt Japan from levies.

Trump has said 25-percent steel and aluminum tariffs will be imposed on
Wednesday of next week, without exceptions.

"It is important to closely study the specific content of these (tariff)
measures and their impact," Muto said Friday.

He also poured cold water on Trump's announcement that Japan was among the
countries looking to invest trillions of dollars in a "gigantic" natural gas
pipeline in Alaska.

"This is an issue that the government and the private sector need to study,
in terms of profitability and when supply will begin," Muto said.

"I hope to hear more details on this project" from US officials, he added.

Trump has also threatened to impose tariffs of around 25 percent on auto
imports. Vehicles represented nearly a third of all Japan's exports to the
United States last year.

Without referring to Muto's planned visit, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told
parliament on Wednesday that Japan's "contribution to the US economy is
significant."

"So we want to appeal resolutely, with emotion and logic," to Washington on
the tariffs, he said.

Muto and Japan's foreign minister will hold economic security talks with
their British counterparts in Tokyo Friday, touted as a chance to promote
free trade and boost business ties.