U.S. President Donald Trump met Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday, marking their first official encounter as the two allies seek to strengthen their business and security ties in the face of China’s growing influence and a brewing trade conflict.

Trump, in his early weeks in office, has taken a more traditional approach toward Asia-Pacific allies such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the Philippines. However, ongoing tensions with China, especially over tariffs and trade, could challenge these relationships.

The U.S. has already imposed a 10% tariff on all imports from China as part of what Trump calls an "opening salvo" in the trade war between the world’s two largest economies. This move has caused significant disruptions for businesses globally, including in Japan, which is heavily reliant on trade, particularly with China. Many Japanese companies are deeply invested in China, while Japan itself depends on imports for much of its resources and food.

Japan shares Trump's tough stance on China, particularly in regard to Beijing's territorial claims and ambitions in Asia, including Taiwan. Yet, there are concerns in Tokyo about Beijing's potential efforts to win over the U.S. president with promises of cooperation on key global issues. Trump, who spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping before taking office, has said he plans to discuss tariffs with Xi soon.

While Japanese officials are comfortable with Trump's national security team, which includes China hawks like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security advisor Michael Waltz, they are more cautious when it comes to members of the administration with strong business ties to China, such as Elon Musk.

During their meeting, Trump and Ishiba are expected to hold a joint press conference, further signaling the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance. For Japan, the visit is seen as a positive sign from the new administration, especially considering the close relationship Trump had with the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Tokyo anticipates Trump will demand concessions to address the $56 billion bilateral trade surplus and mitigate the threat of further tariffs. To that end, Japan is reportedly preparing several offers, including support for a $44 billion gas pipeline in Alaska and investments in U.S. artificial intelligence initiatives. SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son has also committed to investing billions in the U.S. economy.

While trade remains a key point of contention, other issues like the attempted acquisition of U.S. Steel by Japan’s Nippon Steel have added tension. Despite this, the two leaders are expected to emphasize their shared views on economic and security matters, including their concerns over China and Taiwan.