Ishiba emerged as an effective negotiator in his recent summit with President Trump, where he skillfully navigated complex diplomatic waters. The meeting, held in Washington, was touted as a success by multiple sources. Ishiba's approach involved avoiding direct confrontation with Trump, employing simple yet effective negotiation tactics to secure favorable outcomes for Japan. This strategy was not spontaneous; it was the result of intensive training with bureaucrats in Tokyo, designed to prepare him for Trump's assertive style.
Ishiba’s tactics during the summit were deliberate. He chose not to invoke "the rule of law," a phrase likely to trigger a lecture from Trump. Instead, he focused on steering discussions in a productive direction. In a TV interview on Monday, Ishiba outlined his strategy, shedding light on his methodical preparation for dealing with Trump.
“If I said ‘no’ to him, then everything would be disrupted,”
His comments in the interview confirmed Japanese media reports about his extensive training before the summit. The preparation with Tokyo’s bureaucrats aimed to arm him with the know-how to handle Trump's dominant negotiation style. Ishiba's success at the summit was largely attributed to this groundwork and his determination to avoid unnecessary conflict.
“It is said that he hates being disagreed with, so I didn’t.”
This sentiment underscored Ishiba's understanding of Trump's personality, reflecting a calculated approach to diplomacy. By sidestepping confrontation, Ishiba maintained a cooperative atmosphere that facilitated agreement and progress.
The backdrop to this diplomatic endeavor was a markedly assertive stance from Trump in his initial weeks in office. He made clear his intention to assert U.S. dominance over both allies and rivals alike. Against this challenging environment, Ishiba's ability to negotiate effectively without causing diplomatic tension is noteworthy.
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