On the second leg of his Asia tour, US President Donald Trump met with Japan’s conservative prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, who was elected solely days in the past.
Takaichi heralded a “new golden age” for Japan and the US alliance. Trump informed Takaichi she shall be “will be one of the great prime ministers” and the US is “an ally at the strongest level.”
Takaichi is a protege of assassinated former chief Shinzo Abe, who Trump has described as “one of my best friends – one of, maybe, my closest friends in government.” He informed the brand new prime minister, “Shinzo was a great man – he loved you.”
Trump will quickly go to US troops stationed in Japan, after which heads to South Korea on Wednesday. Whether Trump will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on the journey stays a thriller, although the American chief mentioned he was open to extending his journey to take action.
Here are some of highlights:
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The leaders signed an agreement on securing the supply of critical minerals and rare earths they deem “crucial to the domestic industries of the United States and Japan.” China has a near-monopoly on international rare-earth provides, which Beijing has weaponized in its commerce battle with the US. Washington has been trying to cut deals with different nations to interrupt the stranglehold on provide.
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The leaders have been served lunch throughout their assembly, eating on American beef and rice. Serving American rice may very well be seen as a gesture to win favor with Trump, who has lengthy urged Japan to buy more US rice. He even threatened increased tariffs on Japanese exports, accusing the nation of refusing to buy American-grown rice.
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Takaichi informed Trump that she had nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize. The transfer has change into a standard tactic to flatter Trump, notably when commerce offers are on the desk.
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Takaichi gifted Trump a putter owned by assassinated Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and a golf bag signed by {golfing} star Hideki Matsuyama. The two leaders shared a love of golf and played nine holes alongside Matsuyama throughout Trump’s maiden diplomatic go to to Asia in 2017.
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In a nod to the US’ 250th anniversary subsequent yr, Takaichi mentioned Japan would donate 250 cherry blossom trees to Washington, DC. In 1909, Tokyo donated 2,000 cherry timber to the US, which have been later destroyed after it was found they have been contaminated with bugs. A second donation of 3,020 cherry timber was made in 1912, some of which stay.
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The leaders met with the families of Japanese citizens who were abducted by North Korea in the late Nineteen Seventies and Eighties. Trump additionally met with the households in 2019. Japan says at least 17 of its citizens were snatched by North Korean brokers – alongside a whole bunch of unexplained instances. The abductions seem to have been half of North Korea’s espionage program.