George Glass, a longtime ally of U.S. President Donald Trump and a seasoned diplomat, arrived in Tokyo Friday (18th April 2025) to begin his tenure as the new U.S. ambassador to Japan, stepping into the role at a pivotal moment for U.S.-Japan relations. His arrival coincides with renewed bilateral negotiations over tariffs and trade amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Asia-Pacific.
Speaking at Haneda International Airport, Glass said he was “extremely optimistic” that ongoing negotiations between the two nations would yield a successful outcome, calling the U.S. and Japanese trade teams “the best and the brightest” and praising their “creative out-of-the-box thinking.” He emphasized President Trump’s involvement in the talks, referring to him as “the greatest deal maker that we’ve ever had in the United States.”
Glass, a businessman from Oregon with a background in real estate, finance, and technology, previously served as U.S. ambassador to Portugal. According to OpenSecrets, he contributed $369,000 to Republican candidates and organizations during the 2024 election cycle.
His appointment comes as negotiations resume over a proposed 24% “reciprocal” tariff on Japanese goods, which the Trump administration introduced earlier this year and has since paused. Trump greeted Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s minister of economic revitalization and the lead negotiator for the Japanese delegation, at the launch of the talks, later posting on Truth Social that the meeting made “Big Progress!”
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has described the tariff dispute, especially regarding the automobile sector, as a “national crisis.” Observers suggest the talks could broaden to cover defense and currency policy. Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group, noted that Japan and Italy—whose Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met Trump in Washington this week—are viewed as “guinea pigs” for how close allies can navigate the “America First” diplomatic approach.
Glass indicated that his diplomatic priorities center on “security, economics, and friendship,” adding that Japan’s proximity to China, North Korea, and Russia puts it in a “pretty tough neighborhood.” He highlighted his previous work in Europe blocking Chinese investments, including a $10.2 billion attempted acquisition of Portuguese utility EDP by China Three Gorges, as evidence of his readiness to counter “predatory behavior.”
During his Senate confirmation hearing, Glass described the U.S.-Japan alliance as being “at the dawn of a new golden era,” calling Japan the “strongest of allies” and noting that it is now the top foreign investor in the U.S., supporting more than one million American jobs.
Still, he echoed the Trump administration’s economic stance, saying he was prepared to have “tough conversations” about tariffs and the U.S. trade deficit with Japan.
While he refrained from addressing Nippon Steel’s proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel, Glass promised more clarity in the coming days. He concluded his first day in Tokyo by emphasizing his family’s personal ties to Japan, noting that his eldest son has lived there for over a decade.
Vice President JD Vance, who officiated Glass’s swearing-in, framed the post as one of great strategic importance: “You’re going to serve our most important ally, in the most important region in the world, at the most important time.”
Glass agreed: “I believe that. Deeply.”
