Japanese PM visits White House for talks with Biden to reaffirm alliance and address China

[Stevicus]

President Joe Biden, Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga reaffirm alliance, address China in summit - UPI.com

April 16 (UPI) -- President Joe Biden on Friday said he and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga reaffirmed the two countries' alliance and spoke at length about challenges from China in the first foreign leader visit to Washington, D.C., of the new administration.

The two gave a joint news conference in the Rose Garden after having expanded bilateral discussions at the White House.

"We are two important democracies in the Indo-Pacific region and our cooperation is vital ... to meeting the challenges facing our nations, and ensuring the future of the region to remain free and open and prosperous," Biden told Suga during the bilateral meeting.

During the news conference, Biden said the two discussed challenges from China in the East China Sea and South China Sea, and North Korea.

"We agreed to oppose any attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the East and South China Seas and intimidation of others in the region," Suga said. "At the same time, we agreed on the necessity for each of us to engage in frank dialogue with China, and in so doing, to pursue stability of international relations, while upholding universal values."

Biden said he United States and Japan plan to invest in technology together, including supporting 5G cellular networks that are alternatives to the network of Chinese telecom Huawei.

U.S. firms have been barred from buying Huawei components and the company was blocked from buying U.S. technology under a national security policy imposed by former President Donald Trump. Biden's administration has not said whether it will keep the bans in place.

Tensions between Japan and South Korea were also expected to be topics at Friday's summit.

"The political tensions are such that we believe it actually impedes all of our abilities to be effective in Northeast Asia, and I think the president will want to discuss this in some detail with Prime Minister Suga," the official said.

Suga was is scheduled to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris at her residence during his visit to Washington.

Biden met with Suga during the virtual "Quad" summit last month, which also included India Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

It's good that Biden is shoring up our alliance in the region, considering China's bellicosity as of late.

 

[Brickjectivity]

It's good that Biden is shoring up our alliance in the region, considering China's bellicosity as of late.

It would be better if we were not 'The' power in the region and some other allies were. I'd be willing to see higher prices on goods in exchange for that.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Why are these things not increasingly happening digitally? If were going to help the Earth, such politicians and diplomats need to be doing their part as well.
Other than that it looks like business as usual with the three nations.