US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed the strength of US-Japan relations during his visit to Tokyo on Tuesday, just days after President Joe Biden blocked Nippon Steel’s $14.9-billion takeover of US Steel. Blinken emphasized that the alliance between the two nations has grown stronger than ever, with expanding security ties and intertwined economies ¹.
Blinken’s visit to Japan marks the end of his tenure, having first visited the country in 2021. He highlighted the centrality of the US-Japan alliance for Washington, citing partnerships with South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, and India.
Japanese firms have invested almost $800 billion in the United States, making them the largest foreign investors in the country. However, business groups warn that Biden’s decision to block the Nippon Steel deal could have a chilling effect on Japanese investment in the US.
Nippon Steel and US Steel have filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration, arguing that the decision was made for political reasons and ignores the rule of law. President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on January 20, has vowed to intensify protectionism, exiting a Pacific-wide trade pact and promising to use tariffs to protect US industry.
Despite these tensions, Blinken focused on areas of cooperation, discussing North Korea’s latest missile test, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and China’s behavior in the South China Sea with Japanese leaders.
