U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Japan on Tuesday for talks expected to address North Korean missile launches, but President Joe Biden's blocking of a steel deal is straining the allies' warm ties.
Business groups say Biden's decision could have a chilling effect on investment in the world's largest economy, where leaders across the political divide have called for closer ties with Japan to counter a rising China.
With two weeks left before President-elect Donald Trump takes over, the top U.S. diplomat arrived in Tokyo from Seoul late Monday on what is likely his final tour.
Biden has called nurturing U.S. alliances a top priority -- but days before Blinken's trip, he blocked Nippon Steel's $14.9-billion takeover of long-struggling US Steel, citing national security concerns.
In response, the two companies filed a lawsuit on Monday against the Biden administration's "illegal interference" in the transaction.
Nippon Steel chair Eiji Hashimoto on Tuesday slammed "Biden's unjust decision" and said the companies were committed to fight for their merger.
"We're certain the lawsuit will reveal a set of facts that clearly violate the constitution and the law, so I believe we have a chance of winning," he told reporters.
Trump, who takes office on January 20, "wants to make manufacturing strong again, and once again enrich the lives and future of manufacturing workers", Hashimoto added. "This is exactly in line with what we're doing."
Blinken had a sushi breakfast at a famous fish market on Tuesday and will later meet Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
Blinken is expected to discuss a flare-up in tensions on North Korea, which on Monday test-fired a missile into the sea just as the US politician was visiting fellow ally South Korea.
Blinken had been in Seoul in part to push to preserve three-way cooperation by the United States, Japan and South Korea.
Conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol has pushed to turn the page on historical tension with Japan, but he was impeached after he stunned South Korea last month with a failed attempt to impose martial law.
"It's in the strategic interest of each of our countries not just to sustain this trilateral cooperation, but to grow it in the years ahead," Blinken told reporters in Seoul.
© 2025 AFP
26 Comments
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JJE
Tokyo has signed up to be on the US leash - which means they are subordinate and equals giving up sovereignty - which means they have no effective avenue of complaint and just have to suck it up.
Trade deals being blocked is part and parcel of this. It's called a "rules-based-order" for a reason - the empire sets the rules, which applies to others but not itself, and moves the goalposts whenever it wants. This applies equally to satellites and perceived adversaries.
deanzaZZR
Is Blinken a lefty? I know some choose to use their hands for sushi. I am not sure about the etiquette of using the left hand. I guess it's OK?
Rahm looks like a man who will soon be out of a job and is contemplating his non-UN Ambassador future.
factchecker
Three articles today still whining about this. Stop playing the petulant child already!
JJE
Blinken is left-handed. First noticed that when he played that impromptu gig at that bar in Kyiv a while a back, and he banged out 'Rockin' In The Free World' - as he was playing left-handed.
Rahm has that "wish I had some deep-dish pizza" look on his face.
kurisupisu
What is Blinken doing wasting taxpayers’ money on a last minute Far East tour?
He’ll be out of a job in a few weeks!
Blacklabel
Is that guy eating sushi with his fingers?
JJE
Believe the man sitting at the end, two down from Blinken, is Tom Sullivan (brother of Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan) his CoS.
Fighto!
And your point?
Nigiri is traditionally eaten with hands. And depending on the establishment often still is.
You're welcome.
Legrande
Yep just making it over here to get Japan back into proper allignment for US projects, sorry about the steel thingy you'll get over it and by the way order more weapons next year thnx Japan.
wallace
Eating sushi with your fingers is perfectly acceptable, and is considered the traditional way to eat it in Japan, particularly when it comes to "nigiri" style sushi (single pieces of fish on top of rice).
JJE
Ahh of course. The woman seated next to Blinken is his better half - Evan Ryan, the current White House Cabinet Secretary.
Makes sense... there can't be much going on in Joe's lame duck WH or even a need for a functioning cabinet, let alone a secretary to liaise with relevant departments, as the music is coming to an end soon, so why not jump on a free junket while it lasts.
Fos
JJE
With all the money this US administration made selling overpriced weapons to Japan in the last 4 years, I think this trip was a treat on the house for the most irrelevant and dangerous SoS in the last 100 years of US history. There are no words to describe the role of Emanuel. Completely negligible presence
Wasabi
This is the proper way to eat sushi. Now you know.
Wasabi
Yes, yes he also wanted to make a wall paid by Mexico. We are still waiting. He also want to buy Greenland... so yeap, it will never happen.
Fos
CPowell
I am not much into video games, I don't follow, sorry. I understand there is a hiatus between the departing and incoming US administrations for the renewal of the contracts for the US disinformation worldwide program. I know the wait must be unnerving... Hopefully that sushi was not expensive. Kudos for the people working for free here :)
TaiwanIsNotChina
I work for free all of the time and it is no problem because I can take pride in the positions I represent.
deanzaZZR
All the kids agree, surely.
bass4funk
Is it a crime? Lol
I’m a lefty, but I always use my left hand when I eat, there’s nothing wrong with it, just do what best works for you.
nero
Sorry for stabbing your back but we are buddies.
Peter Neil
BlacklabelToday 02:02 pm JST
he should be using a knife and fork, right?
eating and passing food with the right hand is done in india, africa and the middle east mostly.
Blacklabel
How odd.
chopsticks of course.
OssanAmerica
Regardless of whether Blinken used his fingers, chopsticks or knife & fork, only an American would have sushi for breakfast. LOL. Of course in his defense, it was his inner dinner time.
Peter Neil
you should visit japan.
itsonlyrocknroll
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is yesterdays thought, a dead end, before President-elect Donald Trump takes over, for better or for worse.
Be sure, President-elect Donald Trump, will stamp his Musk, sorry keyboard hell, of course mark!
Tamarama
Japan should kick him out.
P_C
Looks like they are drinking PET bottled water. Really? Come on folks enjoy your sushi / sashimi with some traditional drink.