President Trump Meets Japan's First Female PM Takaichi: Strengthening US-Japan Alliance Amid Asian Trade Negotiations

President Trump shakes hands with Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi during a bilateral meeting.

Tokyo:

President Donald Trump commenced one of the most activity-packed days of his Asia tour on Tuesday by cordially welcoming Japan's new prime minister, with subsequent plans to address American troops on an aircraft carrier and engage with business leaders.

Despite visiting one of America's most loyal Asian allies, uncertainties abound. Sanae Takaichi, who recently made history as Japan's first female prime minister mere days ago, must establish her rapport with Trump while safeguarding her nation's economic interests. Trump aims to secure $550 billion in Japanese investment as part of a trade agreement that would lower US tariffs.

During their Tuesday meeting, Trump and Takaichi exchanged handshakes, with Trump remarking: "That's a very strong handshake."

Takaichi responded by mentioning she had watched the third game of the US World Series beforehand. She announced Japan's gift of 250 cherry trees to Washington next year commemorating America's 250th anniversary, along with fireworks from Akita Prefecture for Independence Day celebrations.

In her opening comments, she referenced former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, her archconservative mentor who developed a strong connection with Trump during his first term through their mutual enjoyment of golf.

"As a matter of fact, Prime Minister Abe often told me about your dynamic diplomacy," she stated.

Trump highlighted her historic position as Japan's first woman prime minister as a "big deal," emphasizing America's commitment to Japan. While the president has previously publicly criticized foreign counterparts, he offered only praise for Takaichi.

"Anything I can do to help Japan, we will be there," Trump declared. "We are an ally at the strongest level."

Takaichi is prepared for a charm offensive, including a potential purchase of Ford F-150 trucks. Journalists arriving for the event were quickly guided past a gold-colored Ford F-150 and what appeared to be white American-made Toyota vehicles stationed outside Tokyo's Akasaka Palace, the guest residence for visiting foreign dignitaries.

Trump has frequently complained that Japan doesn't purchase American vehicles, which are often too wide to be practical on Japan's narrow streets.

Both leaders signed the implementation of an agreement for the "golden age" of their nations' alliance. Though the agreement's specifics remained unclear, the document, when displayed after signing, appeared to be less than one page.

Trump and Takaichi subsequently signed a second agreement establishing a US-Japan framework for securing critical minerals and rare earths supplies.

While Trump has centered his Asian foreign policy around tariffs and trade, he is also scheduled to speak aboard the USS George Washington, an aircraft carrier docked at an American naval base near Tokyo.

Trump arrived in Tokyo on Monday, meeting with the emperor in a ceremonial visit. He previously attended the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The gathering provided Trump an opportunity to celebrate an expanded ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, which had skirmished along their disputed border earlier this year. Trump had pressured them to cease hostilities by threatening to withhold trade agreements.

Signs indicated cooling tensions between the US and China ahead of a planned meeting between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, expected to take place in South Korea later this week. Top negotiators from both countries indicated progress toward a trade deal, potentially averting a damaging confrontation between the world's two largest economies.

Details remained limited, and it was uncertain how extensively any agreement would resolve longstanding issues or whether it would restore pre-confrontation relations. China has restructured exports of rare earth elements crucial for high-tech manufacturing, and Trump responded with threats of tariffs he himself acknowledges would be unsustainable.

Trump is scheduled to depart Wednesday for South Korea, host of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.