American and Japanese flags are waving in the sky.
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President-elect Donald Trump announced on Monday that he will select George Glass, a former investment banker and diplomat known for his criticism of China, as ambassador to Japan.
“During my first term, Mr. George served as the U.S. ambassador to Portugal. As a former head of an investment bank, Mr. George brings business acumen to the position of ambassador,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. I will.”
While stationed in Lisbon from 2017 to 2021, Gras attracted attention for warning of Portuguese investment in strategic sectors by China and mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
His selection comes amid strained relations between Tokyo and China over a number of issues, from trade to territorial disputes.
Japan hosts the largest U.S. military overseas mission, including Washington’s only forward-deployed carrier strike group, right on China’s doorstep.
One of Japan’s concerns about President Trump’s return is whether he will ask Japan to pay for additional U.S. military presence or adopt protectionist trade measures that could hurt Japanese businesses. That’s what it means.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi was asked about Glass at a press conference on Tuesday and said the Japanese government looked forward to “elevating the Japan-U.S. alliance to new heights with the next administration.”
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba failed to meet with President Trump last month. President Trump said Monday that he was open to meeting with Ishiba before his inauguration on Jan. 20.
Glass, a businessman and devout Catholic from Oregon, was a top fundraiser for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.
He founded Pacific Crest Securities, a Portland-based investment bank, and served as president and vice chairman from 1990 to 2014, before launching his real estate business, MGG Development LLC, in 2015.
