President Donald Trump began one of his busiest days of the Asia trip on Tuesday by warmly greeting the new Japanese Prime Minister, with plans to later speak to US troops aboard an aircraft carrier and mingle with business leaders.
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. Trump is trying to nail down $550 billion in Japanese investment as part of a trade agreement.
As Trump and Takaichi met on Tuesday, 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 said 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 in golf.
“As a matter of fact, Prime Minister Abe often told me about your dynamic diplomacy,” she said.
Trump and Takaichi sign ‘golden age’ agreement
Trump called her role as Japan’s first woman prime minister a “big deal,” emphasising the US commitment to Japan. While the president in the past has publicly scolded his foreign counterparts, he had nothing but praise for Tackaichi.
“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.
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 US 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 US-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.