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Japan, Philippines plan to convey to Trump need for U.S. engagement in Asia

20 Comments
By JIM GOMEZ and JOEAL CALUPITAN

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20 Comments
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No problem with that engagement, just with whose money and troops?

-15 ( +2 / -17 )

Good luck with that. Might as well try to convince him to actually put America first.

9 ( +13 / -4 )

I do not why insecure leaders,want too grovel to an insecure leader like Trump,who is not feared by the average American

-8 ( +5 / -13 )

The world suddently stops complaining about US intervention when it looks like the US will actually be withdrawing. That's when the world starts deparately pleading for the US to intervene in other countries' affairs, including militarily.

4 ( +10 / -6 )

Counterproductive. Like putting a clumsy bull in a china shop, literally. Your region, work together to fix it.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

somebody overdoing the hysteric speculation huh?

meanwhile isn’t it interesting how Japan is reaching out all around them to figure out how from next week they will need to deal with the most impactful US President in modern times?

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

So, Japan will remind Trump that he has bases there and Trump will massively hike the amount of protection money he charges for them. Genius plan.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

“Amid the increasingly severe strategic environment in the region, Japan places importance on our bilateral cooperation as well as on maintaining and strengthening trilateral cooperation between Japan, the Philippines and the United States,” Iwaya said.

This is the essence of Prime Minister Ishiba’s concept of an “Asian NATO,” a network of security alliances in Asia that operates with or without U.S. involvement.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Why, why, why? What is needed is fewer American bases in Asia. They are not only a waste of enormous sums of money, they are a cause of trouble. The Chinese build up their military as a defence against American aggression. North Korea wants nuclear weapons because the American bases in South Korea have them.

Why do we read about Chinese aggression but never American aggression? Look at what America did in Vietnam and then Laos and Cambodia. Look at what America did in Afghanistan. Look at what America did in Iraq. Look at what America has done in Ukraine. Look at how America is feeding trouble in the Middle East.

-12 ( +1 / -13 )

If this huge U.S. military presence in Japan, Okinawa in particular, is for Japan's security that was initially requested by Japan, Trump is right to demand for more share of costs to maintain/operate these bases and facilities in Japan.

But is his understanding of the state of affairs correct? Isn't the U.S. military presence in Japan nothing different from occupation, working ultimately as not to let the genie out of the bottle?

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

China to convey to Russia and North Korea for the need of a joint Chinese Russian North Korea presences in the Asia region!

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

gaijintravellerToday  11:52 am JST

Why, why, why? What is needed is fewer American bases in Asia. They are not only a waste of enormous sums of money, they are a cause of trouble. The Chinese build up their military as a defence against American aggression. 

Not true. In the early 1990s that may have been true, after China saw what the US could do in 1st Gulf War. But after that China has been and continues to build up their military not for defense, but to be able to overcome US and allied resistance to their territorial ambitions and aspiratios of regional hegemony.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

@gaijintraveller Please understand USA MIC logic. USA builds hundreds of USA military bases thousands of miles away from the USA mainland to safeguard peace! China develops domestic military assets to rule Asia!

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

Trump is planning his next trip to Pyongyang and ignore you miserable allies!

-10 ( +0 / -10 )

elephant200Today  04:55 pm JST

Trump is planning his next trip to Pyongyang and ignore you miserable allies!

Rest assured that while Trump is going to be a PIA to America's allies, he's going to be much much worse to your beloved China. A position that is bipartisan.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

deanzaZZRToday  02:49 pm JST

China develops domestic military assets to rule Asia!

Exactly why the US has some 800 bases around the world by invitation and agreement with the host countries.

How many countries willingly have Chinese PLA troops on their soil?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

It may be interesting and instructive when several Chinese Coast Guard ships have mysterious accidents and sink when they bully their way into water that are NOT theirs.

They (China) deserve it.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

He's going to be much much worse to your beloved China.

Trump has hurted much more to America than he hurted Chinain his last term. We are well prepared and waiting for him. I don't know what damages he done to your beloved America but sure he is bad enough !

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

gaijintravellerToday 11:52 am JST

The Chinese build up their military as a defence against American aggression.

What military aggression is America conducting against China? None.

Now, contrast that to China's actions in the South China Sea, East China Sea, Indian border, etc.

What is needed is fewer American bases in Asia.

What is needed is for China to dismantle its illegal bases in the South China Sea, and to stop threatening the region, ramming ships, stealing territory, etc.

Why do we read about Chinese aggression but never American aggression?

Because America isn't committing any aggression here, unlike China.

And we also read about Chinese aggression because this is Japan Today, and China is by far the biggest threat to Japan -- and the entire region.

Look at what America has done in Ukraine.

Yes, it has helped sovereign Ukraine defend itself against an illegal, unprovoked, unilateral war of aggression by Putin.

I hope America does the same, and much more, for Taiwan, Japan, Philippines, etc. if Xi ever recklessly starts a war.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Yes,the most recent US aggressions were Iraq,Syria and Afghanistan. Three wars occured in the 21st century : 9 years,10 years and 20 years, totally 39 years of aggressions, that says all !

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

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