By South China Morning Post | Created at 2024-12-19 01:36:36 | Updated at 2024-12-19 05:04:41
3 hours ago
United States president-elect Donald Trump’s meeting with the widow of a former Japanese leader while seemingly snubbing Shigeru Ishiba could be a bid to “humiliate” the current prime minister, raising anxieties of tensions between both countries.
Analysts also say Trump’s meeting with Akie Abe, wife of slain former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, is aimed at sending a “message” to Ishiba to maintain good relations with the US.
Trump on Sunday reportedly met Abe at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, hosting a private dinner with his guest and wife Melania.
“It was a privilege to host Mrs Akie Abe at Mar-a-Lago once again,” Melania said on X, posting a photo of the three of them.
“We fondly remembered her late husband, former Prime Minister Abe, and honoured his remarkable legacy,” she added, referring to the former Japanese leader who was assassinated in 2022 during a campaign speech.
