Later the same day, Trump set up a call with Takaichi and advised her not to provoke Beijing on the question of Taiwan’s sovereignty, said Japanese officials and an American briefed on the call. The advice from Trump was subtle, and he didn’t pressure Takaichi to walk back her comments, those briefed on the calls said.
A spokeswoman for the Japanese prime minister said it is not accurate that Trump advised Takaichi not to provoke the Chinese government over the issue of Taiwan’s sovereignty. Such a remark was not made, she said.
I did have that thought, tbh, but wasn’t sure if that was being presumptuous about their culture. I’m not real familiar with face-saving culture in the specifics.
It’s hard to say, really. Trump has often made claims about conversations had with other state officials that those state officials have later contradicted. What immediately springs to mind as possibilities:
What is going on with this story and its claims
maybe Japan trying to save face?
I did have that thought, tbh, but wasn’t sure if that was being presumptuous about their culture. I’m not real familiar with face-saving culture in the specifics.
i don’t think wanting to do damage control is specific to culture…that just sounds like a human thing
It’s hard to say, really. Trump has often made claims about conversations had with other state officials that those state officials have later contradicted. What immediately springs to mind as possibilities: