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Trump Praises Japan's New PM 10/28 06:16
President Donald Trump began one of his busiest days of his Asia trip on
Tuesday by warmly greeting the new Japanese prime minister and taking her with
him as he spoke to U.S. troops aboard an aircraft carrier.
TOKYO (AP) -- President Donald Trump began one of his busiest days of his
Asia trip on Tuesday by warmly greeting the new Japanese prime minister and
taking her with him as he spoke to U.S. troops aboard an aircraft carrier.
Although Trump is visiting one of America's most steadfast allies in Asia,
there's no shortage of uncertainty while he's there. Sanae Takaichi, who became
the country's first female prime minister only days ago, must solidify her
relationship with Trump while defending her country's economic interests.
The trip suggested that Trump -- by his administration's count -- came close
to nailing down the goal of $550 billion in Japanese investment as part of a
trade framework. At a dinner for business leaders in Tokyo, Commerce Secretary
Howard Lutnick announced up to $490 billion in commitments, including $100
billion each for nuclear projects involving Westinghouse and GE Vernova.
"You're great business people," Trump told the gathered executives before
the dinner. "Our country will not let you down."
It was unclear how the investments would operate and how they compared with
previous plans, but Trump declared a win as he capped off a day of bonding with
Takaichi.
Trump and Japanese PM swap warm words
When Trump and Takaichi met on Tuesday morning, they shook hands and he paid
her a compliment: "That's a very strong handshake."
In return, Takaichi talked about watching the third game of the U.S. World
Series before the event. She added that Japan would give Washington 250 cherry
trees next year to honor America's 250th anniversary, as well as fireworks from
Akita Prefecture for July 4 celebrations.
She used her early remarks to mention former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo
Abe, her archconservative mentor who forged a strong bond with Trump during his
first term through their shared interest of golf.
"As a matter of fact, Prime Minister Abe often told me about your dynamic
diplomacy," she said.
Trump called her role as Japan's first woman prime minister as a "big deal,"
putting an emphasis on the U.S. commitment to Japan. While the president in the
past has publicly scolded his foreign counterparts, he had nothing but praise
for Takaichi.
"Anything I can do to help Japan, we will be there," Trump said. "We are an
ally at the strongest level."
Takaichi is primed for a charm offensive, including a potential purchase of
Ford F-150 trucks. Reporters arriving for the event were hustled past a
gold-hued Ford F-150 as well as what appeared to be white American-made Toyota
vehicles parked outside the Akasaka Palace, which is Tokyo's guest house for
visiting foreign leaders.
Trump has often complained that Japan doesn't buy American vehicles, which
are often too wide to be practical on narrow Japanese streets.
The Japanese delegation also made the strategic choice to serve American
beef and rice during a working lunch that was mixed with Japanese ingredients,
at which the two leaders also discussed efforts to end Russia's war in Ukraine.
Takaichi also gave Trump a putter used by Abe, the former prime minister,
and a golf bag signed by the professional golfer Hideki Matsuyama, according to
a post on X by White House aide Margo Martin. They signed black "Japan is Back"
baseball caps that resembled Trump's own red "Make America Great Again" caps.
Trump gave Takaichi a custom scarf, according to a White House official.
They vow a 'golden age' for alliance and cooperation on critical minerals
Both leaders signed the implementation of an agreement for the "golden age"
of their nations' alliance. When the document was held up after signing, it ran
to less than one page and reaffirmed the earlier framework by which the U.S.
would tax goods imported from Japan at 15% and the creation of a $550 billion
fund for Japan to invest in the U.S.
Trump and Takaichi then signed a second agreement, this one laying out a
U.S.-Japan framework for securing the supply of critical minerals and rare
earths. That agreement suggested that some of the investment dollars would go
to the development of rare earths needed for advanced technologies.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Takaichi
would be nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. The two leaders also met
with people whose family members were abducted by North Korea.
Trump talks to troops on US aircraft carrier
Although Trump has focused his foreign policy toward Asia around tariffs and
trade, he also spoke aboard the USS George Washington, an aircraft carrier
docked at an American naval base near Tokyo. The president brought Takaichi
with him and she also spoke as Japan plans to increase its military spending.
The president talked about individual units on the aircraft carrier, his
political opponents, national security and the U.S. economy, saying that
Takaichi had told him that Toyota would be investing $10 billion in auto plants
in America.
He attended the business leader dinner at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo after
his remarks on the carrier, with Apple CEO Tim Cook among the guests.
Trump arrived in Tokyo on Monday, when he met with the emperor in a
ceremonial visit. He was previously in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he
participated in the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Trump is scheduled to leave Wednesday for South Korea, which is hosting the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Trump plans to meet with South Korean
President Lee Jae Myung.
There were also signs that tensions between the U.S. and China were cooling
off before a planned meeting between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which
is expected to take place in South Korea later this week. Top negotiators from
each country said a trade deal was coming together, which could prevent a
potentially damaging confrontation between the world's two largest economies.
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