Despite Nippon Steel rift, U.S. and Japan say ties stronger than ever

There's Rahm lurking in the background in photo 2.

Does the Japanese FM have purple hair or is it just a light-color thing with the cameras?

Another day, another article featuring Japan whining about not getting its own way. Please stop, it's getting boring now.

I'm sure the Japanese feel snubbed by Biden/US. This show for the cameras does not mean behind the scenes Japanese are reevaluating their ties. Rather pointless visit given the timing.

what a joke politics has become.

The foreign ministers of Japan and the United States said their countries' ties were stronger than ever on Tuesday, even after Japan's prime minister called U.S. President Joe Biden's decision to block Nippon Steel's $14.9 billion bid for U.S. Steel "perplexing."

What is "perplexing". Is the Japanese Japanese prime minister a bit "thick"?

Wait for little Duce foreign policies and let's see how weak could be those ties..

Aly Rustom

what a joke politics has become.

Could not agree more. The most irrelevant US SoS comes to Tokyo with his warmongers team from the White House, scrounging sushi at the expenses of Japanese taxpayers. His legacy are two (official) horrific wars, Middle East and Ukraine, while debating on the necessity to open a new front in Taiwan, to please his buddies in Wall Street.

 Is the Japanese Japanese prime minister a bit "thick"?

Almost seems like a prerequisite for the job.

The most irrelevant US SoS comes to Tokyo with his warmongers team from the White House, scrounging sushi at the expenses of Japanese taxpayers. His legacy are two (official) horrific wars, Middle East and Ukraine, while debating on the necessity to open a new front in Taiwan, to please his buddies in Wall Street.

100% on the money !

If the blocking of Nippon Steel’s bid is ‘perplexing’ then wait until the Trump’s tariffs are announced on Japan!

Too bad, I was hoping Blinken would give an explanation of Biden's decision without the "security risk BS" so that everybody wouldn't have to be perplexed.

Oh and I have been saying that Chinese Steel Cos dominate 40% of the global steel market. Seems I was mistaken. Apparently it's 60%.

Might as well kiss US Steel off good-bye.

Ishiba looks so puffy I suspect he is still half cut.

The "Nippon Steel rift" has absolutely no impact on 99.99% of people's lives.

Whether the sale happens or not, almost no one will notice or experience any effect on their lives at all.

This is total BS... what I really think is happening is that the Japanese Govt. is using this issue as a tradeoff / leverage point for any potential Trump tarriffs. The Japanese Govt would not ever allow a U.S. Company to buy Nippon Steel.... so why would they believe they have any right to back up a Japanese company other than political gain.

SaikoPhyscoToday  11:10 am JST

The Japanese Govt would not ever allow a U.S. Company to buy Nippon Steel

Maybe yes maybe no. But that statement is pure speculation because Nippon Steel is the 4th largest Steel Co in the world, in a market dominated by the Chinese Companies. US Steel ranks 24th. In other words, what US company could possibly afford to buy Nippon Steel?

There is a lot of speculation and rumours that one or two us steel plants will close, in the following months we will find out if they do close, or was this a political stunt. If it does close, the question will be, would it have been better to sell it to Japan ?

If the blocking of Nippon Steel’s bid is ‘perplexing’ then wait until the Trump’s tariffs are announced on Japan!

Anyone who thinks we’ll avoid a global recession on the scale of 2008 during Trump’s presidency is in for a rude awakening.

Nippon Steel had agreed to the conditions stated by IS Steel prior to both parties agreeing to the merger.

To answer the main concerns from US Steel regarding national security and worker’s guarantees, Nippon Steel agreed to:

Maintain a majority US membership in executive positions.

Not close facilities or relocate operations.

Ensure worker’s rights and not layoff more than 10% of employees.

Conduct all financial transactions in US dollars.

If it were a National security issue, Biden would have been made aware at a much earlier phase, and blocked the sale before contracts were signed. Biden, knowing Trump is against the sale of US Steel; but never specifically mentioned Japan or Nippon Steel, seems to be using his last days in office trying to stay legitimate for the history books.

The US has only blocked the foreign acquisition of assets by Presidential order 8 times, 7 of which were sales to China.

Yes of course things r as rosy as ever that's why you needed to arrange for this photo session and have someone write this up

Anthony Blinkens trip in Japan mean to he hold good relation with Japan,We are understand that american industrie both technologie are approve in Asia especially in Japan,it’s a great progress for American department.Personnaly I take part with Japan collègue whose they are associate with Japan embassy to their diplomatic programm as they are assist me during this week while I would like to share our opinion througth these short words.