Japan’s ruling party policy chief warned that US President Donald Trump’s tariffs might drive Asian countries closer to China and create security problems in the region. He also said that it is important for the US and Japan to strengthen their defence partnership.

“Many Asian countries have taken the same stance toward China as the US and Japan, but they are now feeling very uneasy over the Trump tariffs,” stated Liberal Democratic Party Policy Chief Itsunori Onodera at a Hudson Institute event Monday in Washington. “More countries may distance themselves from the US and move closer to China — and that’s not an outcome Japan would wish for,” he further said.  His comments came as many countries are seeking to negotiate with the US regarding the reciprocal tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. These tariffs are expected to have a severe impact on Asian economies and could also threaten regional security. Tokyo is getting ready for a second round of trade talks with Washington later this week.

Onodera, a former Japanese defence minister, emphasised the importance of strengthening defence ties with the US due to increasing threats, particularly from China. He pointed out concerns such as China's ongoing pressure on Taiwan, its growing use of "cognitive warfare" over territorial disputes, and the rise in military exercises. Earlier this month, during initial trade talks, U.S. President Trump reportedly asked Japan to pay more for its defence. He has often said that the U.S.-Japan alliance is unfair, claiming that the U.S. must protect Japan but doesn’t get much in return. Onodera, a Japanese official, said Japan and the U.S. could consider working together to produce and export defence equipment, especially ammunition, due to recent changes in Japan’s policies that now make this possible. When asked if Japan should contribute more to the defence alliance, Onodera chose not to answer.

Japan currently faces a 25% tariff on its exports of cars, steel, and aluminium to the United States, along with a 10% general tariff that was recently reduced from the previous 24%. Later this week, Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s lead trade negotiator, will meet again with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and other officials for a second round of talks. “Given the current sensitive security environment, I believe that Japan should quickly resolve the tariff issue with the US in a win-win situation, and play its role in maintaining regional security,” said Onodera.