Tokyo
—
During their carefully watched first meeting in Tokyo, Donald Trump and Sanae Takaichi seemed extra like outdated mates than world leaders.
There have been smiles, again slaps, hugs and even a joke about operating late as a result of they’d been watching the LA Dodgers – led by Japanese megastar Shohei Ohtani – play within the World Series.
The US president acquired a Nobel Peace Prize nomination (the second of his Asia journey), and a golf putter beforehand owned by the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who famously bonded with Trump on the inexperienced.
Their simple camaraderie continued on the Yokosuka naval base, the place Trump invited Takaichi on stage aboard the USS George Washington and praised her management. The new Japanese PM responded with a triumphant fist pump and a twirl, a second that shortly went viral in her nation.
The message was unmistakable: the Abe-era chemistry between Washington and Tokyo is again.
“She is a delight,” Trump informed enterprise leaders on the conclusion of the day’s actions. “I got to know her pretty well in a short period of time.”
It’s not typically Trump reveals this degree of heat towards a overseas chief, significantly one from a nation that’s weathered his tariff wars. It’s simply as uncommon to see a Japanese prime minister show such open affection on the world stage.
It definitely helps that the 2 see eye to eye on a number of political points. Both are right-wing conservatives who help navy buildup and a more durable stance on China. Their shared connection to Abe additionally helps clarify their rapport. Abe was one in every of Trump’s “best friends” in international politics, in addition to being Takaichi’s political mentor.
But beneath the picture ops and nostalgia additionally lies a strategic alliance born of mutual want. Especially as each leaders eye the identical adversary in Beijing.
For Trump, having a staunch ally within the Asia-Pacific area prepared to take a exhausting line towards China is an simple win. Takaichi, a longtime China hawk, has criticized Beijing’s navy growth and financial coercion for years. Her hardline stance dovetails neatly with Trump’s “America First” worldview.
The two additionally unveiled a new framework on uncommon earths, geared toward lowering dependence on China’s near-monopoly over essential sources. Details have been obscure, however the message of cooperation was clear. Japan nonetheless remembers the 2010 “rare earths shock,” when Beijing lower off exports after a territorial dispute. Takaichi has since made securing steady provide chains a key a part of her financial agenda.
Trade and funding additionally featured prominently on the summit. Japan pledged roughly $490 billion in US-bound investments, led by corporations in AI, semiconductors, protection and superior manufacturing, a part of a broader commerce deal already agreed upon by the allies in September.
For Trump, who prizes loyalty and has a lengthy reminiscence for slights, an allegiance to Japan solidified early in his first time period. Abe took nice care to develop the US-Japan relationship, at a time when the president didn’t have a lot of help on the world stage.
Foreign dignitaries and leaders openly laughed on the president throughout a 2018 United Nations General Assembly tackle. In 2019, a group of NATO leaders have been captured on digicam gossiping about him.
But Abe cultivated his American counterpart with considerate gestures that performed on to Trump’s pursuits: a number of golf outings, the pomp and circumstance of a state banquet, and a journey to a sumo wrestling event the place Trump bestowed the winner with a “President’s Cup.”
Trump remained near his counterpart till Abe’s assassination in 2022, and hosted his widow at Mar-a-Lago final 12 months.
That goodwill paved the way in which for Takaichi’s success on Wednesday.
“He really likes her,” stated a senior Trump administration official who noticed their interactions behind closed doorways.
She additionally benefited from timing: Takaichi took workplace after Trump’s reciprocal tariffs rocked markets and reimagined US alliances – shielding her from tangling with the Trump administration to barter a commerce deal.
For Takaichi, standing shoulder to shoulder with Trump strengthens her hand at house. Her approval scores soared after taking workplace, however her ruling social gathering nonetheless lacks a parliamentary majority after latest election losses. Public frustration over previous scandals additionally lingers. Projecting Japan’s affect overseas, and reaffirming its bond with Washington, helps her rebuild political capital.
For Trump, the optics are simply as useful. Hardening a shut alliance with Tokyo provides him diplomatic momentum forward of a extra contentious assembly with China’s Xi Jinping. It’s additionally a reminder to Beijing that he’s not quick on highly effective mates within the area.