Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a call with President Donald Trump after she vowed to defend Taiwan against a potential attack from China. That's as Tokyo prepares to deploy new missile units near the island, while Beijing warns Japan has “crossed a red line.” -- 📺 Watch NTD News 24/7 on cable, broadcast, and streaming: https://www.ntd.com/watch
President Trump spoke with Japanese
Prime Minister Sai Takayichi following
her comments about defending Taiwan if
it were attacked by China. This comes as
Japan prepares to deploy missile
guidance systems to its westernmost
island just 70 miles from Taiwan. NTD's
Washington correspondent Jack Bradley
has the details.
>> With tensions escalating between Japan
and China, Japan's Prime Minister
Takayichi held a call with President
Trump. She said they discussed US China
relations and cooperation following
Trump's recent visit to Japan.
>> President Trump explained about the
recent US China relations, including his
talks with the Chinese leader last
night. I believe that I was able to
confirm the close cooperation between
Japan and the United States. Oh,
>> what prompted the sudden spike in
tensions between Japan and China was
Prime Minister Takayichi publicly
declaring that Japan would intervene if
Taiwan were attacked, arguing that any
conflict there would put Japan directly
at risk. China reacted sharply and a
Chinese council general in Osaka even
threatened to cut the head off of the
Japanese leader. And Beijing has been
urging its residents not to travel to
Japan. Chinese state-run media has also
been calling for military strikes on
Japan. Just prior to calling Takayichi,
President Trump spoke with CCP leader
Xiinping and she reportedly told Trump
of his desire to take over Taiwan
despite the CCP never having ruled over
the self-governing democracy. Taiwan's
government says that's not an option and
Beijing is trying to intimidate both
Taipei and Tokyo.
situation.
>> China has repeatedly acted in line with
its authoritarian expansionist nature,
seeking to intimidate and exert pressure
on Taiwan and neighboring countries such
as Japan in the region. Both Taiwan and
Japan are committing to increase their
defense spending. In the latest move,
Japan's defense ministry says it's
moving forward with putting a new
missile guidance system on its
westernmost island near Taiwan to
strengthen deterrence.
We believe its deployments will reduce
the very possibility of armed attacks
against our nation and do not consider
the argument that it will heighten
regional tensions to be accurate.
>> And all of this is unfolding as
President Trump and China's Xiinping
prepare for reciprocal visits. Trump to
visit Beijing in April and she to the US
later in the year. But at least for now,
Japan and China are in the most serious
diplomatic standoff in years. Reporting
by Jack Bradley, NTD News.
