Trump, Japan’s Takaichi sign deal to secure rare earths supply

Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, and President Trump met with her in Tokyo to discuss her commitment to ratchet up military development and sign deals on important minerals.

Trump praised Takaichi on Tuesday, saying she would make a “great” leader, while the White House announced that the prime minister planned to nominate the US president for the Nobel Peace Prize.

According to the Reuters news agency, Takaichi, who is close ally with Trump’s friend and golfing partner, late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, will also offer a package of US investments under a $ 50 billion deal this year.

According to the agency, this included increased purchases of US soya beans, natural gas, and pick-up trucks, citing a source with knowledge of the discussions.

The gestures may temper Trump’s demands that Tokyo spend more on defending islands from an increasingly assertive China, which Takaichi threatened to stop by promising to accelerate plans to increase defense spending to 2 percent of GDP.

As the pair posed for photos at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo’s central area, Trump said, “It’s a very strong handshake.”

You will be one of the greatest prime ministers, according to Shinzo and others, and I can’t help but be impressed. You’re the first woman to serve as prime minister, and I want to congratulate you on that. As the pair sat down for discussions with their delegations, Trump said, “It’s a big deal.”

According to photos posted on X by Trump’s assistant, Margo Martin, Takaichi gave him a gold-leaf golf ball, a golf bag signed by Japanese major winner Hideki Matsuyama, and a golf putter.

The US president visited the palace, a lavish residence built in the European style, in 2019 to meet with Abe, who was killed in 2022.

Deal on crucial minerals

Takaichi praised Trump’s efforts to secure ceasefires between Cambodia and Thailand, Israel and Palestinian armed groups as “unprecedented” achievements, while Takaichi praised Japan’s efforts to purchase more US military equipment.

Through an interpreter, Takaichi told reporters that “the world started to enjoy more peace in such a short period of time.”

Takaichi continued, “I was so impressed and inspired by you, Mr. President.”

As the nations attempt to break China’s chokehold on the materials, which are essential for a range of products, from smartphones to fighter jets, the leaders signed an agreement to support the supply of crucial minerals and rare earths.

The White House stated in a statement that the deal’s goal was to “help both countries achieve resilience and security of critical minerals and rare earths supply chains.”

According to the statement, the US and Japan “jointly identify projects of interest to address gaps in supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths, including derivative products like permanent magnets, batteries, catalysts, and optical materials.”

Trump and Takaichi will then travel to Yokosuka, Japan, where the US military has its powerful presence, to the US naval base.