Trump Visits US Naval Base in Japan
BBC News
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US President Donald Trump has signed a rare earths deal with Japan's newly elected prime minister Sanae Takaichi
In a meeting that has been an early test for Takaichi, the two leaders heralded a new "golden age" for the alliance between their countries
Japanese exports to the US will now face 15% tariffs, which was agreed previously but appears to have been finalised on Tuesday
Trump's remarks show he is affording Takaichi a lot of goodwill, our Tokyo correspondent says
Trump also told family members of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea between 1977 and 1983 that "we will do everything in our power" to return them
After Japan, he flies to South Korea, where he will meet the Chinese leader Xi Jinping
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Watch: Trump meets Japan's newly elected PM Sanae Takaichi
Edited by Yvette Tan in Singapore, with Shaimaa Khalil in Tokyo and Anthony Zurcher, travelling with President Trump
Anthony Zurcher
North America correspondent, travelling with the president
At 15:47, Marine One landed on the USS George Washington, an aircraft carrier currently docked in Japan.
The Navy 7th Fleet Band, dressed in camouflage, played as Trump exited the aircraft and walked down a cordon of carrier crew, nicknamed the "rainbow side boys".
He was accompanied by Prime Minister Takaichi. Multiple naval fighters were arrayed on the deck nearby.
Per the White House, the president was greeted by a series of military commanders and officials.
Marine One, the aircraft carrying Trump, has just landed on the USS George Washington.
We're expecting Trump to disembark imminently.Anthony Zurcher
North America correspondent, travelling with the president
I'm on a helicopter which is taking us to the USS George Washington, an aircraft carrier docked at Yokosuka Naval Base near Tokyo.
There, Trump is set to deliver a speech to US troops on the USS George Washington.
Takaichi will also be on the carrier, along with senior officials from the US and Japan.
After that, Trump will adjourn to a hotel in Tokyo before meeting business leaders this evening.
File photo of the USS George Washington
Shaimaa Khalil
Tokyo correspondent
Pleasantries have set a positive tone to the meetings so far – but cutting through those, it is worth remembering that Washington can re-impose tariffs or cause other headaches for Japan if it doesn’t deliver on its promises.
Tokyo is ultimately still vulnerable to the whims of the White House. Its auto industry – the backbone of its economy – depends heavily on the US market. Harsher tariffs or tougher rules could hit companies like Toyota and Nissan hard.
But it also has a bargaining chip in rare earth minerals. Japan and the US just signed an agreement to boost supply and production of the compounds, which are in everything from military equipment to car – though Japan will need help and know how when it comes to mining the minerals, much of which is underwater.
Washington is desperate to decrease its reliance on China when it comes to rare earths, which all but monopolies the sector and has restricted exports to the US. And so the cooperation from Japan – and similar agreements with counties like Malaysia and Australia – will give Trump a stronger hand going into his meeting with President Xi on Thursday.
A vow from Takaichi – a defence hawk herself – to bring defence spending to 2% of GDP, possibly within six months, will also help keep the White House onside amid their push for allies to pour more into their militaries.
The motorcade carrying Trump and a pool of reporters is now moving. They'll be driven to helicopters that will then take them to the aircraft carrier.
We'll bring you more updates in a bit – stick with us.Anthony Zurcher
North America correspondent, travelling with the president
Trump is getting what he wants out of this visit to Japan – praise, Nobel nominations and promises of foreign investment in the US.
While this is the first time he has met with the new Japanese prime minister, he appears to have developed an early rapport. The connection she had to Shinzo Abe, a Trump favourite, helped pave the way.
The pageantry and the venue also seemed tailor-made for the American president. A full military honour guard and band welcomed Trump to the ornate Akasaka Palace, with its vaulted ceilings and gold-encrusted walls not unlike what the president wants in his planned White House ballroom.
For those of you who are just joining us, we're following Trump who is currently in Japan meeting prime minister Sanae Takaichi as part of a diplomatic tour around the region.
Here's what you need to know to get you caught up:
Trump will arrive at the US naval base in Yokosuka later today, before meeting business leaders in Tokyo. We'll continue to bring you the latest as we get them – please stay with us.
The trade agreement signed by the two leaders today promises a "new golden age" for bilateral ties.
What it actually does, though, is reaffirm previous agreements that they signed earlier this year.
This includes the US imposing a 15% tariff on nearly all imports from Japan, including its massive car industry – down from the 25% that Trump had initially threatened.
In exchange, Japan has pledged to invest $550bn in the US and buy more US goods, including in key sectors like cars, planes, agriculture and energy.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has arrived in Japan, where he was welcomed by his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi.
He is scheduled to have a meeting with Koizumi on Wednesday.
As we reported earlier, security issues loom large over the agenda for Trump's trip to Japan. Trump has in the past repeatedly called on Japan to shoulder more of its security burden and increase defence spending.
During the working lunch, Takaichi also presented Trump with a map showing the investments that Japanese companies have made in the US, the White House said in a statement.
In July, Japan agreed to invest $550bn in the US as part of a trade deal to get the US to lower its tariffs on Japan.
Here's what's on the menu for Trump and Takaichi's working lunch:
The choice of serving American rice is notable, as Trump has repeatedly called for Japan to buy more US rice in the past.
The White House added that Trump also "signed the lunch menus for the Prime Minister and the entire Japanese delegation, much to their delight!".
The two leaders were also seen sharing a toast.
Japan's new leader, Sanae Takaichi, aspires to become the country's Margaret Thatcher.
After two failed attempts, the 64-year-old Takaichi achieved her long-held ambition in a historic parliamentary vote on 21 October.
She's a colourful figure on the right of the governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who talks tough on immigration and has some conservative views on women's equality.
A former government minister and TV host, and once a drummer in a heavy metal band, Takaichi will now face the challenge of leading not only a party struggling to regain voter trust after scandals and dealing with the burgeoning far right – but a country tackling a sluggish economy, low birth rates and rising geopolitical tensions.
Read more about her here.
Trump and Takaichi have just posed for a photo with the families of Japanese people who have been abducted by North Korea. The Japanese government says that North Korea kidnapped 17 Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s – though some believe the real figure is much higher.
"I've met the families before and I'm with them all the way, and the US is with them all the way," Trump said.
"We have not done anything. We've been so busy," Trump said. "But we will do everything in our power."
The press pool traveling with President Trump has now moved back to the signing room with the families of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea.
The issue of the abductions has stood between Tokyo and Pyongyang for decades.
According to the Japanese government, at least 17 citizens were abducted by North Korean agents between 1977 and 1983, although Pyongyang disputes that number.
The abductions are widely believed to have been part of North Korea’s espionage program. The victims were taken to train North Korean spies in Japanese language and culture.
Trump had met the families of the abductees during his first term.
Trump and Takaichi have signed an agreement, external to boost the supply and production of rare earths between the US and Japan.
The two countries agreed to cooperate through the use of policies, trade measures and coordinated investment to support the production of critical minerals.
Washington has been racing to diversify its supply of critical minerals to reduce its reliance on China, which holds a near-monopoly in the processing of critical minerals and has recently imposed export controls on them.
In recent days, the US signed a flurry of deals with Malaysia, Thailand and Australia on rare earths, which are needed for the production of most electronics, electric cars and military equipment.
Japan is known to have an abundant supply of rare earth minerals but much of it is underwater, making it difficult to mine.
Let's bring you a few more details on the "new golden age" deal that the US and Japan have just signed.
The agreement refers to previous deals the long-standing allies inked earlier this year which were about strategic investments and shared national interests.
Today's paperwork says that the two leaders "noted with satisfaction swift and continued efforts by both countries, and confirmed their strong commitment to implementing this GREAT DEAL".
The agreement will help both countries to "strengthen economic security, promote economic growth, and thereby continuously lead to global prosperity".
It also says that Trump and Takaichi have spoken to the relevant ministers and secretaries to "take further steps for a NEW GOLDEN AGE of the ever-growing US-Japan alliance".
Upon signing the documents on the "new golden age" of bilateral ties and cooperation on cirtical minerals, Trump praised Japan as an ally and commended Takaichi, the country's first female prime minister.
Japan, he said, is an "ally at the strongest level" for the US. He went on to describe Takaichi, who was elected last week, as "one of the greatest prime ministers", acknowledging the significance of her victory and calling it "a big deal" for Japan to have a female leader.
Trump and Takaichi have just signed two new deals – one marking a new "golden age" of US-Japan relations and the other about a critical minerals deal.
The two leaders inked the agreements moments ago and have posed with the signed documents.
The first deal is about securing cooperation between the long-standing allies and the critical minerals agreement provides a framework to ensure the supply of rare earths.Shaimaa Khalil
Tokyo correspondent
So far, one remark stands out. President Trump is affording Ms Takaichi a lot of good will.
"I want to just let you know – any time you have any question, any doubt, anything you want, any favors you need, anything I can do to help Japan, we will be there."
It’s a critical moment for Japan and for its new PM Sanae Takaichi – a defining early test of leadership. In her first face-to-face meeting with President Trump, she described him as a partner in a new golden age and praised his role in Middle East peace.
President Trump praised Japan as "a great ally" and said he’ll be there to help Japan whenever needed. But he’s also pushing hard on trade and security, leaving Tokyo backed into a corner.
Trump wants more US access to Japan’s markets – especially in cars, agriculture, and technology. He’s pressing Japan to buy more American rice and soybeans, and to open its market to US vehicles.
Tokyo, heavily reliant on exports, can’t afford a tariff fight – especially when it comes to its auto industry. But Takaichi also needs to protect domestic industries and doesn’t want to anger crucial interest groups like the powerful farming lobby.
For now, the tone is friendly. But there's real pressure on Tokyo to deliver on agreements with little room to manoeuvre.
Here are some photos from the Akasaka State Guest House, where Trump was received by an honour guard from Japan’s Self-Defense Forces.
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