Trump and New Japanese Prime Minister Exchange Praise and Commit to Strengthening Their “Remarkable” Relationship – US Politics Live | US News
Trump Praises Japan’s First Female Leader During Asia Visit
In a significant meeting during President Donald Trump’s recent visit to Asia, he commended Japan’s first female leader, Sanae Takaichi, on her commitment to strengthening military capabilities and bolstering trade relations. The meeting, held in Tokyo, underscores the growing diplomatic ties between the United States and Japan amidst rising geopolitical tensions in the region.
Takaichi, a protégé of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, expressed support for Trump’s efforts to mitigate global conflicts and even pledged to nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize, as reported by Trump’s spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt.
Both nations unveiled an ambitious plan for investments in various sectors, including energy, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals. Japanese firms are eyeing investments totaling up to $400 billion in the U.S., a move anticipated to enhance civic engagement in economic ventures.
Earlier this year, Tokyo committed to providing approximately $550 billion in U.S. strategic investments, loans, and guarantees to mitigate the adverse impacts of Trump’s significant import tariffs. This mutual commitment may potentially alleviate demands for Japan to escalate its defense spending amid growing concerns over China’s assertiveness in the region. Takaichi has already indicated plans to fast-track defense expenditure to 2% of GDP.
During their discussions at Tokyo’s Akasaka Palace, Trump remarked, “Everything I know from Shinzo and others, you will be one of the great prime ministers.” He also congratulated Takaichi on her historic election, emphasizing the importance of her leadership in the international arena.
Political Developments Back in the U.S.
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Trump Hints at Potential Third Term: During a recent press briefing, Trump suggested he would “love” to pursue a third term, although he acknowledged that using a vice presidential loophole would be “too cute.” His comments elicited a swift response from Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, who stated, “No way in hell we’re going to let that happen.”
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California Governor Plans 2028 Run: In other news, California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom announced he will decide regarding a presidential bid for 2028 after the 2026 midterm elections.
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Union Calls for End to Government Shutdown: The leader of America’s largest federal workers’ union is advocating for an end to the ongoing government shutdown, now the second-longest in U.S. history, as numerous employees miss another paycheck.
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Redistricting Efforts Intensify: Indiana Governor Mike Braun has called for a special session to consider redrawing congressional districts, ahead of the 2026 elections. Meanwhile, negotiations continue in various Democratic states on how to address the increased redistricting efforts from Republican-led states.
