American and Japanese flags fluttered in the sky.
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The President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, said on Monday that he is choosing George Glass, a former investment businessman who is famous for his criticism of China, to be his ambassador to Japan.
“During my first term, George was the US Ambassador to Portugal. As the former President of the Investment Bank, George will bring his business experience to the position of Ambassador,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
During his tenure in Lisbon in 2017-2021, Glass gained prominence by warning against Beijing’s investment in strategic sectors in Portugal and its mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic.
His appointment comes amid strained relations between Tokyo and Beijing over a range of issues ranging from trade to territorial disputes.
Japan hosts a large overseas force of the US military, including Washington’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier group, on China’s doorstep.
Among Japan’s fears about Trump’s return is that he will push Tokyo to pay more for the US military presence or take protectionist trade measures that could hurt Japanese firms.
Asked about Glass at a press conference on Tuesday, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Tokyo looked forward to “elevating the Japan-US alliance to new heights with the next administration.”
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba failed in an attempt to secure a meeting with Trump last month. Trump said Monday he was open to meeting with Ishiba before he takes office on January 20.
Glass, an Oregon businessman, is a devout Catholic and was a top fundraiser for Trump’s 2024 election campaign.
He founded the Portland-based investment bank Pacific Crest Securities, serving as president and vice chairman between 1990 and 2014, and started the real estate business MGG Development LLC in 2015.
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