U.S. President Praises Japan’s First Female Prime Minister, Signs Rare Earths and Trade Deals in Tokyo

Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Sanae Takaichi, Japan's prime minister, during a signing ceremony for a document on the implementation of the U.S. Japan trade deal at Akasaka Palace state.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday hailed Japan’s first female Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, during his visit to Tokyo, praising her leadership and pledges to accelerate Japan’s military buildup and strengthen bilateral trade ties.

Takaichi, a protégé of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, lauded Trump’s efforts to mediate global conflicts and reportedly said she would nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize, according to the U.S. President’s spokesperson.

During their talks at Tokyo’s Akasaka Palace, President Trump congratulated Takaichi on her historic appointment, calling her “one of the great prime ministers,” and welcomed Japan’s plans to boost defence spending to 2% of GDP in response to regional security threats.

The two leaders signed an agreement on critical minerals and rare earths, aimed at reducing dependence on China’s supply chain and promoting joint projects in magnets, batteries, and mineral stockpiling. Japan also announced plans for major U.S. investments worth up to $550 billion, including in shipbuilding, energy, and artificial intelligence.

Over lunch, Takaichi presented President Trump with symbolic gifts linked to Abe, including a golf putter and gold-leaf golf ball, in tribute to the late leader’s close friendship with Trump. The meeting underscored Takaichi’s efforts to continue Abe’s legacy and strengthen Tokyo–Washington relations.

President Trump, who began his five-day Asia tour in Malaysia, will travel next to South Korea for talks with President Lee Jae Myung and a planned summit with China’s President Xi Jinping later this week.



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