In a surprising policy twist,President Donald Trump has shown his support for increased Japanese investment in the U.S. steel industry. This comes following the U.S. decision to block a $14 billion takeover of a major American tech firm by a Japanese corporation. This development signifies a shift in Trump’s ‘America First’ policy which aims at stimulating domestic industries, reducing dependence on foreign companies and bringing back jobs.
Trump’s acknowledgment of a potential Japanese stake in U.S. steel has generated much discussion, especially considering his earlier opposition to the sale of a tech firm to a Japanese investor. His proposal for Japanese investment in the steel industry is seen as a response to increasing calls for support towards declining manufacturing jobs in steel-dependent states. This seemed to indicate a strategic move to secure electoral support in those states. The fall-out from this decision is eagerly being watched by industry experts and political pundits alike.