Ready for another round of US-Japan drama? Spoiler alert: you won’t get it! US Secretary of State Mark Rubio made it crystal clear today — there’s no drama or split between the US and Japan. Despite media reports claiming Washington is pressuring Tokyo to boost defense spending to a whopping 5% of GDP, Rubio shot down those rumors. He explained that the US is merely encouraging Japan to invest in certain capabilities, but it’s not a demand or ultimatum.
This statement came after a regional meeting in Malaysia, where Rubio emphasized that relations between the two countries remain “very good” and won’t change. Japanese media reported last month that the Trump administration was pushing Asian allies to increase military budgets, but it seems that was just media hype.
At the same time, Rubio had a “very constructive” meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, showing that the US is trying to balance its relationships in the Indo-Pacific. Despite existing problems, there’s a high chance that Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will meet soon.
So, dear readers, next time you hear the world is falling apart over US-Japan relations, remember Rubio’s words: “No drama!” What do you think? Is this just diplomatic theater or is there really no reason to panic? Drop a comment and let’s see who’s here for the drama and who’s here for peace!
