Trump and Japan’s Prime Minister Takaichi Forge New Defense and Trade Pact in Tokyo
TOKYO – In a significant move to counter Chinese influence, U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi signed a landmark agreement in Tokyo on Tuesday to secure the supply of rare earth minerals and strengthen bilateral trade ties.
Praising Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, as a “great leader,” President Trump welcomed her commitment to a major military buildup, including a pledge to boost Japan’s defense spending to 2 percent of its GDP. The leaders also focused on reducing their nations’ shared reliance on China for the critical minerals essential for a wide range of industries, from smartphones to advanced defense systems.
“The United States and Japan are united like never before,” President Trump said during the announcement. “This agreement on rare earths is a monumental step toward securing our economic futures and our national security.”
The strategic pact was accompanied by a major economic commitment from Japan, which plans to expand U.S. investments worth $550 billion. This includes significantly increased purchases of American exports such as soybeans, liquefied natural gas, and pickup trucks.
In a notable diplomatic gesture, Prime Minister Takaichi, a close ally of the late Shinzo Abe, expressed her admiration for President Trump’s foreign policy and announced her intention to nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to “promote stability and resolve long-standing conflicts.”
Morale-Boosting Visit to Naval Base
Following the signing ceremony, the two leaders traveled to the U.S. naval base in Yokosuka, where they addressed thousands of U.S. sailors and Marines aboard the USS George Washington.
President Trump praised the crew for their role in preventing conflict through joint operations and announced new support for military pay raises and the restoration of family separation pay. Prime Minister Takaichi reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to the U.S.-Japan alliance amid ongoing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
The event was punctuated by morale-boosting moments, including a group dance to the song ‘Y.M.C.A.’ with the crew, underscoring the close personal rapport between the two leaders.
President Trump is scheduled to depart from Japan to continue his diplomatic tour in South Korea, where talks are expected to focus on a potential trade truce with China.
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