'If You Tell Him He's Wrong, He Gets Angry': Former Japan PM On Dealing With Trump

Last Updated:April 06, 2026, 16:56 IST

Ex-Japan PM Shigeru Ishiba said dealing with Trump requires caution, advising that you must agree with him and avoid telling him he’s wrong.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has explained why it is best not to argue with US President Donald Trump, saying even mild disagreement could provoke a strong reaction.

“I met with Trump three times. If you tell him, you’re wrong, he gets angry. If you say, ‘You’re wrong, let me correct you,’ he immediately starts shouting. You simply can’t say things like that. You have to keep telling him, ‘Yes, you’re right.’ If he suddenly gets angry, you’re in trouble," Ishiba told Japan Daily in a recent interview.

Ishiba, who served as Prime Minister and President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) from October 2024 until his resignation in October 2025, stepped down after less than a year in office. His resignation followed election losses that deprived the conservative party of a legislative majority for the first time since 2009.

During his tenure, Ishiba met Trump in person twice as per official records. The first meeting took place at the White House in Washington, DC, on 7 February 2025, when the two leaders held a bilateral summit.

The second encounter happened on 16 June 2025 during a 30-minute sideline meeting at the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada.

News world 'If You Tell Him He's Wrong, He Gets Angry': Former Japan PM On Dealing With Trump

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