Economic security at a pivotal moment: What’s next for the United States and Japan?

World politics are at a hinge moment. The return of President Donald Trump to the White House has seen a dramatic shift in key dimensions of American foreign policy. An early thaw in U.S.-Russia relations, while the fate of Ukraine hangs in the balance, has severely strained the trans-Atlantic alliance. The president’s imposition of hefty tariffs on allies and rivals alike will see a spike in protectionism and could unravel the multilateral trading system. Meanwhile, the future of U.S.-China relations appears more open-ended. While trade and technological competition among the great powers remains fierce, President Trump seems receptive to a deal with Xi’s China. How will the United States and Japan navigate this moment?

On April 30, the Center for Asia Policy Studies at Brookings hosted a panel to discuss challenges in U.S.-Japan relations under Trump 2.0. In recent years, Japan and the United States have proactively developed economic security strategies involving the systematic use of economic tools to achieve foreign policy objectives. The panel examined how the changing geopolitical landscape will impact this trajectory of economic statecraft set by two of the world’s leading economies. They also explored areas of continuity and change in American economic statecraft with the return of “America First” policy and how Japan is adjusting its economic security strategies in its approach to relations with the United States, the European Union, and China.

This event was open to attend in person or watch online. Online viewers submitted questions via e-mail to [email protected] or via Twitter/X using #USJEconSec.