President-elect Trump and Mrs. Trump recently hosted a dinner at Mar-A-Lago for the widow of Shinzo Abe, the former Japanese prime minister, Akie Abe. Before Abe鈥檚 assassination in July 2022, the 45th president and Abe forged one of the most fruitful partnerships in the history of America-Japan relations, not to mention a close personal friendship.
During their time together, President Trump and Prime Minister Abe elevated relations between their two countries into the most important bilateral partnership for both, grounded in the mutual conviction that national security. However, thanks to President Biden鈥檚 petulant last-minute torpedoing of Nippon Steel鈥檚 proposed merger with United States Steel, that foundation is now at risk.
Trump鈥檚 commitment to restore America鈥檚 manufacturing capacity combined with Nippon and U.S. Steel鈥檚 aggressive plans to pump billions into revitalizing our domestic steel industry presents an almost gift-wrapped opportunity for the president to deploy his negotiating prowess to pull off a quick trifecta.
It would comprise prioritizing the jobs and wages of American workers, delivering an immediate competitive boost to our beleaguered steel industry, and providing a Day One demonstration of how his tariffs are designed to work to strengthen American manufacturing.
American steelworkers overwhelmingly backed Trump and remain central to his coalition. As many as of rank-and-file union members polled, moreover, favor the merger, recognizing the potential for high-skilled, good-paying jobs that would come with the huge capital and technological infusion that this merger promises.
This merger could be the harbinger for so many other opportunities for American jobs and investment. Trump鈥檚 bold energy agenda could include a massive expansion of liquefied natural gas exports to Japan, which, in turn could in the global liquefied natural gas network to further expand exports of American energy into Southeast Asia, where demand is rapidly rising at .
Trump is a for reinvigorating the Alaska gas pipeline project, which Senators Sullivan and Hagerty are confident could attract . This project would deliver economic gains for America while strengthening ties between the two. Anything that improves the economic partnership between two of the world鈥檚 largest economies can only help improve the national security of both countries.
Trump, in his first term, advanced American national security interests by reviving the dormant 鈥淨uad鈥� partnership 鈥� comprising America, Japan, Australia, and India. The Quad plays a vital role in countering aggression by the People鈥檚 Republic of China in the Indo-Pacific by safeguarding the world鈥檚 most vital .
The partnership would have to expand intelligence sharing and maritime surveillance to protect undersea cables and expose hostile activities. Japan is already assisting the Philippines with , but deeper collaboration is needed.
Understanding Trump鈥檚 America First approach, which would have allies take on more responsibility for their defense, Abe pushed for a stronger Japanese military capable of operating alongside allies. He secured legislative changes allowing Japanese forces to participate in missions. As Japan increases defense spending to 2 percent of GDP, opportunities for and will grow.
As we face growing global uncertainty in 2025, the Trump-Abe partnership should serve as a model for enhanced economic strength, energy cooperation, and regional security.
Enjoyed this op-ed? Subscribe to Hudson鈥檚 newsletters to stay up to date with our latest content.