TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Japan will closely watch US President Donald Trump’s remarks on Taiwan during his upcoming meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Japan’s former Defense Minister Onodera Itsunori said Monday.

Speaking at a Center for Strategic and International Studies symposium, Onodera said any change in Trump’s position on Taiwan could affect the US’ allies, per Nippon.com. He urged the US to keep a firm stance toward China, saying Washington’s position sends an important message to the region.

Some Japanese officials worry Trump may reduce US engagement in East Asia as he seeks a deal with China. Onodera said US allies would be watching the meeting closely, especially as Trump has avoided taking a strong public position on the Japan-China dispute before his talks with Xi.

The Japan Times reported that Japan-China ties worsened after Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae said China’s possible use of force against Taiwan could threaten Japan’s survival and allow the country to exercise its right to collective self-defense.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Taiwan is likely to be discussed when Trump meets Xi on May 14-15. Rubio said Taiwan always comes up in talks between Washington and Beijing, and that both sides understand instability in the region would not serve their interests, Reuters reported.