Takaichi, Trump swap praise for ‘new golden age’ of ties

TOKYO (AFP/RSS): Japan’s new premier Sanae Takaichi lavished US leader Donald Trump with praise and vows of a “golden age of ties” on his visit to Tokyo Tuesday, before inking a deal with Washington aimed at securing critical minerals.

Takaichi, Japan’s first woman prime minister, lauded Trump’s involvement in mediating conflicts and will nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize, the White House said. Trump, on an Asia tour that aims for a trade deal with China, reciprocated with warmth for the key partner in business and defence by saying Washington is an ally of the “strongest level”.

Takaichi greeted Trump at her prime minister’s residence in Tokyo, her first face-to-face meeting with the US leader just days after she took office. “We are an ally at the strongest level, and it’s a great honour to be with you, especially so early in what will be, I think, one of the greatest prime ministers,” Trump told Takaichi.

She praised Trump’s efforts towards a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia and his “unprecedented historic achievement” of the Gaza deal. “I would like to realise a new golden age of the Japan-US Alliance, where both Japan and the United States will become stronger and also more prosperous,” she said.

The two sides also signed an agreement aimed at “achieving resilience and security of critical minerals and rare earths supply chains,” a statement said. Beijing this month announced sweeping restrictions on the rare earths industry, prompting Trump to threaten 100 percent tariffs on imports from China in retaliation.

Trump also apologised for being late, saying he was watching World Series baseball — a game featuring Japanese stars Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani for the Los Angeles Dodgers.