China's Anxiety Deepens Over US-Japan Ties Ahead of Trump Visit

• China faces a strategic dilemma as US-Japan ties strengthen, fueled by PM Takaichi's successful Washington visit and economic pledges.
• Beijing fears encirclement by a hardened security alliance and being disadvantaged by US-Japan transactional deals.
• PM Takaichi's assertive foreign policy and economic leverage have repositioned Japan as an indispensable US partner, unsettling China.
• China is strategically silent on Takaichi and extending economic olive branches, including rare earth export control suspensions, to ensure a successful Trump summit.
• Beijing is balancing charm offensives with demonstrations of hard power, hosting world leaders, and avoiding provocative naval drills with Russia and Iran to manage US relations.