The decades long relationship between former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Donald Trump permeates through a recent announcement that Japan will be the first nation to enter the new era of trade negotiations with the United States.
Shinzo Abe was assassinated in July 2022, as he traveled throughout Japan gaining support for increased national military development. As businessmen and later politicians Donald Trump and Shinzo Abe (RIP) had a decades long friendship grounded in mutual respect and competition.
[SOURCE]
To understand the dynamic of President Trump giving the nation of Japan the position as the first nation to enter new trade negotiations, a high honor, is to understand the business relationship between the U.S and Japan in the post-World War II (40 yr) period between 1950 and 1990. The formative years for both Japanese industry and President Trump’s business empire.
Following World War II the United States agreed to help both Europe and Japan rebuild from the devastation of war. However, two entirely different industrial economic models were used.
For Europe the U.S. gave them money through the Marshall Plan, a process of one-way tariffs which helped them rebuild their nations. For Japan we gave them W Edwards Demming, an industrial engineer and extraordinarily brilliant mind in the processes of efficiency and industrial production.
In essence, to generate the reindustrialization of both economies, we gave the EU a fish (money), but we taught Japan how to fish; how to be create and build exceptional industry.
In the decades that followed, the EU rebuilt their capitalistic industrial base from the trade and tariff money we permitted them to exploit. The EU rebuilt from their historic systems, upgrading to newer industrial technology. Japan, however, learned deeper more technical skills from the Demming process of industrial capacity building, a critically strong excellence in quality manufacturing and attention to specific details in all processes.
It did not take long before the results of quality in design and Japanese manufacturing surfaced in the sector of automobiles, and later consumer electronics. The U.S. auto industry was slow to adapt to the Japanese quality focus and began losing market share to Toyota, Datsun, Nissan and Honda.
Throughout this period, President Trump and Shinzo Abe were on opposite sides of the industrial competition. Trump railing about Japan, and later aggregate Asia exploiting our generosity; Abe smiling and joking with his friend that despite Trump’s grievances, tomorrow Eric will be purchasing 1,500 Sony televisions for his next Hotel.
And so it went….
The friendship grew, the competition was intense but incredibly respectful, and both Shinzo Abe and Donald Trump became men of great influence whose partnership in competition was always visible.
Prime Minister Abe knew what President Trump was trying to achieve. In turn, President Trump knew Abe would remain a fierce Japan-first trade competitor to the America-first program. Tremendous respect and mutual admiration underpinned their geopolitical efforts.
No single picture better exemplified the nature of Trump and Abe as the G7 summit picture taken in Canada as the ripple effects of Trump’s first-term trade and tariff program against China (mostly) started to hit the global economy.
As China started to feel the pressure from President Trump forming new ASEAN partnerships, China started pulling back from ordering heavy industrial goods from Europe. The EU, specifically the German economy, felt the lessening of Chinese manufacturing via diminished orders. However, a respectful Japan positioned their trade agreements for benefit, but also for benefit of American workers.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe knew there was nothing to fear from President Trump’s global trade reset. Unless, that is, you were a nation taking unfair advantage of the generosity provided by America.
It makes total sense in the big picture for President Trump to honor the legacy of Shinzo Abe, and the respectful connections to Japan by granting them the first position in the schedule of the global trade reset.
Total sense.
haha. More on China:
That call is not likely to come today or anytime soon.
Xi Jinping will not immediately cower and bow to PDJT’s tariff threat. He would not politically survive the “loss of face.” He is being forced into highly uncomfortable and tenuous positions economically and politically, and his natural, perhaps only recourse, is to beat his breasts and spew indignation and aggression toward America.
He is an increasingly desperate and dangerous man.
He could allow himself to be pushed off one of their shoddily crafted sky scrapers. but………..His face
Ad rem, I reported this character to you when I recognized his single word moderation post made at 1009 on the Japan post on Tuesday, he slipped in with the single word, “great,” so I’m not sure how this character, now dubbed Spam, got through moderation when we were just told that comment wouldn’t have met standards and was obviously recognized as part of a pattern of trickery that none would fall for again.
I have not heard back regarding my message on this topic yesterday, nor on the several messages sent weeks ago on this very topic, there appears to be a blockage in the system somewhere.
I hope all this can be resolved and the miscreants addressed effectively, us noticers are trying to help.
Blessings,
Maquis
Xi has already “lost face”, just by (publicly) receiving this message from Trump.
It’ll be interesting to see how he attempts to regain it.
Since President Trump knowingly caused this loss of face, despite realizing how important maintaining face is in Asian (including ME) cultures, he did it intentionally.
Perhaps as a way to help his friend Xi avoid complying with, at least for now, the Euro Globalists desire for a negotiated end to Trumps Trade War with China
and to instead make retaliatory moves that are framed as anti Trump but are, in fact, far more harmful to Trumps Euro Globalist adversaries AND Xis.
President Xi is not the one who decides and/or his “decisions” can be overridden and directed. President XI is more like a CEO who can act until the Board of Directors (The Party and Military) feels they need to intervene.
He has a board of directors that can take charge at any time when the pain gets too bad; The Communists Party and Military. These two entities benefit financially from all that China Inc. Does off-shore, which is where most of the ROI occurs for China Inc. as they OWN the holding companies that invest and profit.
@Dallasdan
Xi is a Communist politician, not too unlike some of America’s “do nothing but grab the stash” corrupt Democrat and GOP politicians. In other words, he’s never MADE anything, never really WORKED a job, he’s a perfumed prince, a creation of the Chinese CCP. @Sundance is making a very apt, and logical comparison between Abe and Japan, versus Xi and China, and how Trump the America first capitalist is ideologically more in sync with the late Abe’s Japan. Xi has no idea how to proceed without deceit or warfare, because like a Mafia Don, that’s how he made his bones.
China despite it’s enormous natural gifts of land and resourced, and of a huge, very bright, but generationally oppressed population, COPY’S technology more than it’s created. Certainly that’s changing, simply from the sheer volume of state investment in technology, but I maintain that the outer layer of every Chinese accomplishment is like an eggshell. It will crack at the least amount of stress, of bumps in the road. It’s Chinese fighters (like the early Korean era MIGS, obtained and/or copied from the U.S.S.R.) WILL perform initially, but both their machines, their crews, and the logistics system behind them, will fail under stress. Same with it’s P.L.A. Navy. Same with their industry. In fact, the most powerful force behind China are the very few patriotic (or self-interested) mavericks who are willing to risk all to create and innovate, despite the heavy hand of the state CCP upon them.
@Sundance has written a brilliant analysis here of Trump vis-a-vis Japan, versus China. The juxtaposition of the European Marshall plan versus Deming is obvious, but I’ve never heard it stated that way. I would counter-propose that it was not America that “gave” Deming to Japan, but Japan in it’s Xenophobia, grabbing Deming to overcome the obvious deficiencies in planning, analysis, and production, that lost her a war. (Remember, the industrial revolution started very late in Japan. By WWII, they were still a developing, recently industrialized nation, in comparison with the West.) What America’s elite gave Europe, who they have more in common with than mysterious, oriental Japan, was what they’ve used to “solve” problems with throughout the 20th century. Money. Lots of money. Flash cash. Prosperity via American consumerism. And, some innovation, too. Europe as a socialist, budding national state entity, is handling this problem it’s Trump problem in same way and with the same solutions that America’s socialists, the Democrats, have applied in America. Command decisions. Command economies. Oppression of minority dissent. Top down leadership, central planning, and … ignorant foolishness.
Unfortunately, you know nothing, (or you pretend, that you know nothing), of the maoic and of the post-maoic chinese history and of what the family of this President AND this President himself has suffered. Please, have a look at this link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xi_Jinping
How kind of you to chime in, and publicize Xi’s self-biography written by the CCP propagandists, on socialist-controlled Wikipedia.
Now, do you have an authoritative reference, i.e. something outside of China or an American, Chinese controlled University?
I thought not.
Which “authoritative” sources were used to draw the conclusion that Xi was raised as a pampered CCP princeling?
Perhaps they aren’t actually “authoritative” but rather bias affirming sources?
Kudos.
Describing Xi as a Communist Party “perfumed prince” who “never really WORKED a job” reminds me of similar descriptions of DJT.
Both descriptions are profoundly inaccurate and either, if believed to be true, lead to deeply flawed conclusions.
Which is a pity since right now its still possible to search for and find truth full data points online.
Perhaps for now both leaders; PDJT and his friend Xi, see this trade war as beneficial to their countries ie it provides domestic and international cover to do needful things that would otherwise be diffucult, if not impossible, to do?
Perhaps when viewing what’s happening between President Xi and President Trump, using an Abe/Trump filter, as just described by Sundance, will yield some unexpected and evocative food for thought.
The widespread purge he’s been running in recent years — including of his predecessor, Hu Jintao — indicates he is facing significant domestic opposition within the CCP. Under those circumstances, he can’t afford to back down, at least not publicly. But as orders for Chinese goods dry up and Chinese factories go idle, it will be an interesting game of chicken to see who blinks first……
South Korea, Japan and China……
Interesting…….
. Japan, China and South Korea discuss trilateral cooperation | AP News
March 22, 2025
Japan, South Korea and China vow to strengthen trade ties amid looming U.S. tariffs – The Japan Times
aMarch 30,2025
A few datapoints that stood out vs headlines.
The three-way meetings are an accomplishment for Japan, which has historical and territorial disputes with both China and South Korea.
Iwaya (J) and Cho (K) separately met and reaffirmed their commitment to maintain communication to resolve bilateral issues, cooperating for North Korea’s complete denuclearization and strengthening three-way cooperation with the United States amid growing global uncertainties, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said.
The joint statement also touched upon…effective implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) — a free trade agreement among 15 countries in the region that went into effect in 2022.
…free trade agreement (FTA) between the three countries, which have not been able to deliver any tangible results since the negotiations started in 2012.
Also multiple points regarding territorial disputes, nuclear North Korea, long standing mistrust between them.
Thank you Harrison!
You are probably the only person who
bothered to read the articles and catch
those data points.
Or realize the significance of the meeting.💁♀️🤷♀️
Again, Thanks!👍
“Your call is very important to us and will be answered in the order received… You are currently number ——– 93 in the queue.” (play annoying hold music)
At least they are respectful enough to refer to him as “Mr. President” instead of “Mr. Trump” – the title Mister can be used for any male person but not the title “Mr. President” – there is only one Mr. President.
So, any more words from Mark Carney? The politicians out themselves when they throw hissy fits and then go radio silent.
These people only defend their own self interests, although sometimes the general welfare of those they are supposed to represent occasionally provides them a degree of cover.
Very nice article.
japan owns more US debt than any other country.
then china, then the uk
Foreign countries in total hold less than 25% of the US debt…
Tremendous respect for PM Abe.
Abe Abides.
Yes the strengthened US/Japan economic alliance is likely to make Xi big mad.
With the Chinese economy alledgedly teetering, and now a trade war with the US likely to cost them billions, plus industries pulling out of China, will they have the financial resources to invade Taiwan and potentially start WW3?
I would look towards north Korea.
Kim will be directed to throw some toys out of the pram
I don’t think the Japanese will buy many American cars no matter what happens. They drive on the left hand side, which would require considerable retooling at assembly plants and manufacturing facilities, and thanks to CAFE Detroit currently build very few cars that would appeal to many Japanese would-be buyers.
I want their Kei cars here!
I would never want to drive an American boat over there.
I’d like to see more vehicles like that over here, choice is good. NHTSA needs to have its ears pinned back along with EPA and a few other agencies.
Because my state will street license darn near anything I almost bought a 2021 Daihatsu Hijet Jumbo Cab last summer but the price was awfully high and I ended up with a smattering of small bruises getting in and out quite a few times. Getting out was actually worse and I couldn’t figure out how to exit without banging the crap out of my left knee or getting the top of my left shoe caught under the brake pedal and almost going down from that. 😖
Just too small for me, photo linked below. Would love to check out a Suzuki Jimny in person someday.
Me too!
We called these Bongos in Korea.
Don’t know if that was derived from local terminology or something GIs made up, we name everything.
Agree.
From my last trip to Toyko.
What A Stupid way to Park? How do you get out?
Mostly true but there might be some market for certain products that Ford makes for the Australian market and other places that are already manufactured with right hand drive, like the new for 2026 Ranger Super Duty or the Everest SUV.
https://www.motortrend.com/news/2026-ford-ranger-super-duty-first-look-review/
Note: The Everest is slightly smaller than a domestic Explorer and considered a “Large” SUV outside the US.
https://www.drive.com.au/showrooms/ford/everest/
Back in the late 70’s, while stationed in Okinawa,
I saved slowly and bought turntable, reel to reel,
reciever, speakers, cassette player and shipped back
Home here. Great equipment too.
Been saving my large 2 aluminum SCUBA tanks to
recycle and be used to manufacture somethings of
use here in The Good Ol’ USA 🙂
To Infinity And Beyond — Hubba Hubba Honchos! …
Eyes Right…
Ahhh… – The good-ol’ days of ‘Hi-Fi’…
The Quadraphonic Receiver including Speakers
where great.
One Leatherneck decided to keep his stereo system
in his cubicle in the barracks, and just when the hollering
began to anounce PT… PT!!.. PT!!!… early at about 5 AM,
he would blast his Pink Floyd’s tick tocktick tock music 🙂
Quite motivating remembering those times; unless we
had a hangover 🙂
Semper Vivium
Yes, those were Pioneer days. He He . I still have some of my Japanese stereo gear and it still works and sounds great. Bought mine mostly in early seventies while growing up in Baltimore. There was a stereo warehouse where everything was in boxes with one of each type open and sitting on top of pile. Great prices and excellent quality stuff. I felt like a kid in a candy store.
BANZAI!!!
I still remember the first Japanese car I ever saw and road in. It was a Datsun. It was 1968-69 and while it was small compared to American cars I couldn’t believe how tight the car was, how good the fit was with no rattles, it even had a holder for loose change! Everything worked and nothing was considered an extra! I regrettably bought a 1970 Camero and it was a rattler! Nothing fit very well and I kept hearing a rattle from the front end. Took it in and the dealer said the top of one the shock absorbers wasn’t attached to the car frame, it was missed during assembly! When it rained if a window was cracked open water would pour in! It took a long time and a loss of a significant portion of the auto market to the Japanese before Detroit would change! That was all due to W Edwards Demming!!!
My first Japanese car was a two-cylinder Honda.
I had so much fun with that little thing, I want a modern iteration of that.
And so, after almost 80 years, Japan, along with its ally the United States, structures a new economic treaty! One based on mutual respect for each other’s culture. The Cherry Blissoms on the Potomac are blossoming with joy and gladness!
I was fortunate to have cruised to Japan last year. It is an amazing country to say the least. The people are so kind and polite everywhere you go. Tokyo for being one of the largest cities in the world was so clean and you really felt safe. They are very strict when it comes to entering their country. Customs come on board the ship initially and they fingerprint your thumb among other things. You have to show your passport every time you’d get off the ship. I’m going back again the first chance I get. If you can just go.
A wonderful post and very fitting that Japan be first. President Trump continues to do us proud.
Sundance, another great japanese auto brand- Mazda. Mazdas are designed to be quiet (not noisemakers for the arrogant and stupid, like a lot of cars and motorcycles made today), and an extension of your body 😃 😍 (Mazda advertises that, and they are right!), not just a vehicle. And they are, in spite of their size, powerful. For example, when the stupid and arrogant noisemakers, speeders, and the worst kind of lane weavers (lane cutters 😡 🤬 ) try to mess with me, I use my nice, quiet and powerul 2020 Mazda 3 to slap them down ⚡ ⚡ ⚡ .
My parents bought a Mazda 808 in the 1970’s for my sister and me. After that I have owned several other Mazda models. In the past, some Mazda models were built in the US, and one is still made in the US. It would be great if they start making again more of them here, as part of a deal with President Trump 😃 😍 .
And I love Japan. Nice, quiet, beautiful. As a member of the US Coast Guard, I lived in Tokyo for 2 weeks, learning about Japanese laws and driving rules before moving to the Loran-C (long range aid to navigation station- I was in charge of the electrical system and the post office for the entire station) station in the northernmost island of Hokkaido- an amazing nature lover’s paradise 💖 . We provided a navigation signal for the northern Pacific ocean, before GPS became popular. And there was great love and RESPECT between the local Hokkaido people and us. We did not even have a guard at the gate for the station, and we did not lock it up until 10:00 PM. The local people were welcome at the station. We all loved nature. And had great respect for each other.
Life is full of surprises 😃 – something I did not know back then. About 15,000 years ago, during the last ice age, some of my Native American ancestry came from the native people of Hokkaido, the Ainu 😃 😍 💖 , through Beringia, a land bridge between Siberia and Alaska. So I lived for one year in the most beautiful place I have lived in my entire life. Where some of my ancestors came from 😃 .
My favorite beach on the planet, Kobukariishi beach in Hokkaido. It was so close to the Loran-C station we used to walk to it several times each week. Not just the beach, but also the volcanic cliffs over the beach. Wonderful- a lot of wildlife and flowers. Nice and quiet. I have told my family that if I had a million dollars I would gladly use it to take them to visit Hokkaido, on all 4 seasons 💖 .
A link to a video about Kobukariishi beach. Unfortunately, animals hide when they hear a drone. And the video was filmed before the flowering season. But the scenery is still wonderful 😃 😍 💖 . When you see the entrance to a tunnel through a cliff by the sea- how many Treepers have driven through it 😃 😃 😃 ? The video starts for a few seconds with loud music and video of the drone pilot, then beautiful music and views of the beach and the volcanic cliffs above it. Hope you all enjoy it 💖 !