US President Donald Trump embarked on his trip to Asia on Tuesday that began with extending a cordial welcome to the new prime minister of Japan. Later, he is scheduled to address US troops on an aircraft carrier and meet with business executives.
There is a lot of uncertainty at the time when Trump is visiting Japan, even though he is visiting one of America’s most staunch allies. Just a few days ago, Sanae Takaichi was appointed as the nation’s first female prime minister. She must protect Japan’s economic interests while strengthening her relationship with Trump. As part of a trade deal, the US president is attempting to secure $550 billion in Japanese investment.
Trump complimented Takaichi after they shook hands during their meeting on Tuesday, saying, “That’s a very strong handshake.”
In exchange, Takaichi mentioned watching the U.S. World Series third game prior to the event. In honour of America’s 250th anniversary, she added, Japan would offer Washington 250 cherry trees the following year. Akita Prefecture would also provide pyrotechnics for the July 4 celebrations.
In her opening remarks, she brought up her archconservative mentor, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who developed a close relationship with Trump during his first term due to their mutual love of golf.
“As a matter of fact, Prime Minister Abe often told me about your dynamic diplomacy,” she said.
Trump emphasised the US commitment to Japan by calling her position as the country’s first female prime minister a “big deal.” The US president had nothing but admiration for Takaichi, despite having openly chastised his overseas counterparts in the past.
Trump declared, “Anything I can do to help Japan, we will be there. We are an ally at the strongest level.”
Takaichi is ready to launch a charm offensive, which may involve buying Ford F-150 pickups. A gold-coloured Ford F-150 and what looked to be white Toyota cars built in the US were parked outside Tokyo’s guest residence for foreign dignitaries, Akasaka Palace, as reporters arrived for the occasion.
Trump has frequently bemoaned Japan’s refusal to purchase American automobiles, which are frequently too wide to be useful on the country’s narrow streets.
An agreement for the “golden age” of their countries’ alliance was inked by both leaders. The signed document, which was less than one page long, reiterated the previous framework that called for the US to impose a 15 percent tax on Japanese imports and establish a $550 billion fund for Japanese investments in the US.
Trump and Takaichi also signed a second agreement that outlined a framework for assuring the supply of rare earths and essential minerals between the US and Japan. According to the agreement, a portion of the investment funds would be used to produce rare earths, which are essential for cutting-edge technologies.
Reporters were informed by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt that Trump would receive a Nobel Peace Prize nomination from Takaichi. Additionally, the two leaders met with people whose families had been kidnapped by North Korea.
In addition to discussing efforts to put an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine, the Japanese delegation strategically chose to serve American steak and rice during a working lunch that included Japanese ingredients.
Rice is more than just a dish in Japan; it is an integral part of the country’s identity and Japanese people are proud of their rice.
Serving American rice might be interpreted as an attempt to appease Trump, who has long pushed Japan to purchase more American rice. He even accused Japan of refusing to buy rice farmed in the United States and threatened to impose steep tariffs on its exports of the essential grain.
Trump is speaking on the USS George Washington, an aircraft carrier docked at an American naval base near Tokyo, even though his foreign policy towards Asia has centered on trade and tariffs.
On Monday, Trump arrived in Tokyo and had a formal audience with the emperor. He had previously attended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) annual summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Trump used the event as a chance to commemorate an extended ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, who had fought earlier this year along their disputed border. By threatening to cancel trade agreements, Trump had put pressure on them to end their conflict.
Ahead of Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s scheduled meeting in South Korea on Thursday, there were also indications that tensions between the two countries were decreasing. The two biggest economies in the world may avoid a potentially harmful confrontation by reaching a trade agreement, according to top negotiators from each nation.
There were little details available, and it was unclear whether any deal would put an end to long-standing issues or restore the relationship to its pre-confrontation state. Trump replied to China’s restructuring of the export of rare earth elements, which are essential for high-tech industry, by imposing tariffs that even he acknowledges would be unsustainable.
On Wednesday, Trump is expected to depart for South Korea, where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit is being held.