Trump ends Japan leg of Asia tour after meeting Sanae Takaichi

Reward, Nobel nominations and guarantees of overseas funding within the US – Japan’s newly-elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi rolled out the purple carpet for Donald Trump on Tuesday.

Trump in flip had heat reward for Takaichi, telling her that the US could be there for “something you need, any favours you want, something… to assist Japan”.

The 2 leaders signed a deal on uncommon earth minerals, in addition to a doc heralding a brand new “golden age” of US-Japan relations which reiterated the dedication of the 2 international locations to implement offers struck earlier, together with the 15% tariff deal negotiated earlier this yr.

The pageantry and the venue additionally appeared tailored for the US president.

A full navy guard of honour and band welcomed Trump to the ornate Akasaka Palace, with its vaulted ceilings and gold-encrusted partitions not not like what the president needs in his deliberate White Home ballroom.

Over lunch, Trump congratulated Takaichi for changing into Japan’s first feminine prime minister.

Notably, based on a White Home readout, that lunch was “American rice and American beef, deliciously made with Japanese elements” – a transfer that can little doubt have delighted Trump, who has lengthy demanded that Japan purchase rice from the US.

Takaichi additionally accompanied Trump aboard a US plane provider, the USS George Washington, the place they have been greeted by hundreds of cheering American troops. Takaichi took the stage and praised what she referred to as the “biggest alliance on the planet” and pledged to extend defence spending.

Trump has previously criticised Japan’s lack of defence spending. In April this yr, he lambasted a safety treaty with Japan as being “one-sided”, saying: “We pay billions of {dollars} to defend them, however they do not pay something.”

Forward of their assembly on Wednesday, Trump mentioned he was certain that he would have a “implausible relationship” with Takaichi, who had a robust reference to former PM Shinzo Abe, a Trump favorite who was shot useless in 2022.

“She was an important ally and pal of Abe, who was my pal… He was among the best… I do know they have been very shut, and I believe philosophically they have been shut, which is excellent,” he informed reporters whereas flying over to Japan from Malaysia on Tuesday.

Trump is spending per week in Asia. He’ll depart Japan for South Korea on Wednesday, and is anticipated to fulfill Chinese language chief Xi Jinping there on Thursday.

The assembly with Trump was seen as a important early take a look at for Takaichi, who was elected as prime minister by Japanese lawmakers earlier this month.

Each international locations have lengthy been allies, however navigating a relationship with a fickle Trump, who has previously appeared to waver in his dedication to Japan, lies on the core of the nation’s overseas coverage.

On Wednesday, Takaichi described Trump as a “associate in a brand new golden period”, and praised his position in bringing peace to the Center East. She introduced that Japan could be nominating him for the Nobel peace prize.

She additionally offered Trump with a group of golf-related presents, based on Trump’s assistant Margo Martin.

These included a golf bag signed by Hideki Matsuyama, the primary male Japanese golfer to win a significant golf championship, in addition to a putter utilized by Abe. In addition they signed two caps printed with the phrases: Japan is again.

In flip, Trump described her as a “shut pal” and described the US alliance with Japan as a “lovely friendship” that was “born out of the ashes of a horrible battle”. He additionally introduced he had permitted the primary supply of long-awaited US missiles for F-35 fighter jets to Japan, which might happen this week.

Pleasantries have set a optimistic tone to the conferences thus far, however behind the grins and the pagentary, there may be actual strain on Japan.

Through the working lunch, Takaichi offered Trump with a map exhibiting the investments that Japanese corporations have made within the US. And through his speech on the USS George Washington, Trump mentioned Takaichi had informed him earlier about plans for Toyota to place $10bn (£7.5bn) into constructing crops “throughout” the US.

However Trump additionally needs extra entry to Japan’s markets – not simply getting them to purchase extra rice, but additionally soybeans, and to open its market to US autos.

However Takaichi additionally wants to guard home industries and does not need to anger essential curiosity teams at residence, just like the highly effective farming foyer.

Tokyo is closely reliant on exports, and can’t afford a tariff struggle particularly in the case of its auto trade. Automakers – the nation’s largest exporters to the US – confronted 24% tariffs and tens of billions of {dollars} in losses.

Tariffs have now been lowered to fifteen%, in line with rivals within the area corresponding to South Korea.

Tomohiko Taniguchi – former particular adviser to Abe – mentioned there have been issues that Takaichi might draw on from Trump’s relationship together with her late mentor. He mentioned it was essential for Takaichi to be “easy and say bluntly what Japan’s nationwide pursuits are, and to see the place these two nations nationwide pursuits overlap, and all the time conscious that Japan’s security have to be in arms of the Japanese”.

However Takaichi will not simply must steadiness Japan’s pursuits and its alliance with the US – she’ll even have to do this whereas sustaining the nation’s essential commerce partnership with China.

Rintaro Nishimura senior affiliate on the Asia Group mentioned: “Takaichi should stroll a really positive line, perhaps tone down a few of her extra hawkish tendencies on China… but additionally guarantee Trump that the US-Japan relationship is crucial.”