Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi yesterday lavished US President Donald Trump with praise and vows of a “golden age” of ties on his visit to Tokyo, before inking a deal with Washington aimed at securing critical minerals.
Takaichi — Japan’s first female prime minister — pulled out all the stops for Trump in her opening test on the international stage and even announced that she would nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize, the White House said.
Trump has become increasingly focused on the Nobel since his return to power in January and claims to have ended several conflicts around the world, a role that experts downplay.
Photo: AFP
In return for Takaichi’s plaudits, Trump, who was meeting the conservative prime minister for the first time on an Asia tour that aims for a deal with China, said Washington was an ally of the “strongest level.”
“It’s a great honor to be with you, especially so early in what will be, I think, one of the greatest prime ministers,” Trump told Takaichi at the Akasaka Palace state guest house.
Takaichi praised Trump’s efforts toward a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, and his “unprecedented historic achievement” of the Gaza ceasefire deal.
She also gifted him a golf bag signed by star player Hideki Matsuyama and a putter belonging to assassinated former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, who had a close personal relationship with Trump, the White House said.
“I would like to realize a new golden age of the Japan-US alliance, where both Japan and the United States will become stronger and also more prosperous,” Takaichi said.
Speaking later alongside Trump on board the USS George Washington near Tokyo, Takaichi told a crowd of hundreds of sailors that she was “committed to fundamentally reinforce” Japan’s defense capabilities, adding that her nation faces “unprecedented” security dangers.
Trump, who came to the stage pumping his fist, waving and clapping as the audience cheered, said he had approved the first batch of missiles to be delivered to Japan’s Self-Defense Forces for their F-35 jets and they would arrive this week.
He also said that the US was going to be working with Japan on “making ships,” as US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding to boost cooperation in shipbuilding.
China dominates the global shipbuilding industry.
The two sides earlier signed an agreement aimed at “achieving resilience and security of critical minerals and rare earths supply chains,” a statement said.
Beijing this month announced sweeping restrictions on the rare earths industry, prompting Trump to threaten 100 percent tariffs on imports from China in retaliation.
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