Tokyo (Parliament Politics Magazine) – US President Donald Trump visits Japan to meet Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, seeking trade, defence, and investment deals.
As reported by Reuters, Donald Trump headed to Tokyo on Monday for talks with Emperor Naruhito and Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, focusing on trade and defence ties.
During his first stop in Malaysia on his longest trip since taking office, Mr Trump announced multiple deals with Southeast Asian nations. He witnessed a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia.
How did Donald Trump plan to strengthen US-Japan ties in Tokyo?
Donald Trump secures a $550 billion investment from Japan, while Sanae Takaichi seeks additional trade deals, including purchases of US-made trucks, soybeans, and natural gas.
Before leaving for Tokyo, Mr Trump said,
“Just leaving Malaysia, a great and very vibrant Country. Signed major Trade and Rare Earth Deals, and yesterday, most importantly, signed the Peace Treaty between Thailand and Cambodia. NO WAR! Millions of lives saved.”
He added,
“Such an honor to have gotten this done. Now, off to Japan!!!”
Ms Takaichi told President Trump during their first call that her foremost aim is to strengthen the US-Japan alliance.
Thousands of police were deployed in Tokyo following the arrest of a knife-wielding man, with anti-Trump protests planned in Shinjuku.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Japan’s Ryosei Akazawa, architects of the July tariff deal, will meet for a working lunch.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, traveling with President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is set to meet Japan’s Satsuki Katayama for their first official encounter.
President Trump will begin his Japan visit by meeting Emperor Naruhito at Tokyo’s Imperial Palace.
He was the first international leader to meet Emperor Naruhito after his 2019 ascension, part of Japan’s historic imperial line. The emperor’s duties are ceremonial, with real diplomatic talks scheduled with Premier Takaichi on Tuesday.
Ms Takaichi, a close ally of the late Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe, who had bonded with Trump, appears to have made a strong impression on the US president.
President Trump said,
“She’s great… we’re going to be seeing her very soon. She’s very friendly. She was a very, very close ally and friend of Prime Minister Abe and you know he was one of my favourites.”
At Akasaka Palace, both leaders are scheduled to meet, with Mr Trump to be welcomed by a military honour guard.
Kevin Maher, a Japan expert at NMV Consulting in Washington and ex-US diplomat, stated,
“Some kind of statement on standing shoulder-to-shoulder together to deter and respond to attempts to change the status quo in the region by force or coercion would be useful.”
Ms Takaichi plans to accelerate Japan’s defence spending to 2% of GDP, but her ruling coalition’s lack of a parliamentary majority could limit any further increases requested by Trump.
How Donald Trump secured a trade framework ahead of the Xi meeting?
Just days before their planned meeting, the US and China have agreed on a framework for a trade deal.
Scott Bessent confirmed the agreement reached at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia would avert 100% tariffs on Chinese imports and include a “final deal” for TikTok in the US.
He stated,
“I think we have a very successful framework for the leaders to discuss on Thursday.”
President Trump said,
“I think we’re going to have a deal with China.”
As part of the deal, China will postpone export controls on key minerals used in fighter jets, smartphones, and electric vehicles for one year.
China’s lead negotiator, Li Chenggang, said both sides have reached a preliminary agreement and will now undergo their respective internal approval processes.
He added,
“The US position has been tough. We have experienced very intense consultations and engaged in constructive exchanges in exploring solutions and arrangements to address these concerns.”
What is included in the Thailand and Cambodia peace agreement?
The Thailand-Cambodia peace deal, witnessed by Donald Trump, calls for a ceasefire and peaceful resolution of border disputes.
The deal includes the removal of heavy and destructive weapons from the border area. This process will be observed and verified by an ASEAN Observer Team.
The peace agreement also includes coordinating humanitarian de-mining in the border areas and the release of 18 captured Cambodian soldiers by Thailand.