
US ministers' Japan visit under Biden to focus on China's influence
India Today
Concerns about China's growing influence in the region is expected to be the main focus when two ministers of President Joe Biden's administration visits Japan for their first in-person talks with their Japanese counterparts.
Concerns about China's growing influence in the region is expected to be the main focus when two ministers of President Joe Biden's administration visits Japan for their first in-person talks with their Japanese counterparts. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin are on their way to Tokyo to meet their counterparts and other top officials as they try to reaffirm America's commitment to the region and their alliance following Donald Trump's temperamental approach. The two secretaries are holding so-called “two plus two” diplomatic and security talks with their Japanese counterparts, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi on Tuesday.
Oil and gas refineries and hubs are up in flames not just in the Middle East, but also in Russia and the US. Crude oil prices have surged over $100 a barrel. With the energy infrastructure in the Middle East likely to take years to be rebuilt, the world could be set for the biggest oil disruption in history.

Speaking at the White House, Trump said the United States was in contact with "the right people" in Iran and suggested that Tehran was eager to reach an agreement to halt hostilities. "We're in negotiations right now," he told reporters, without offering further details on the scope or format of the talks.











