Trump in first meeting with Japan’s new PM says US is ‘ally at the strongest level’

US President Donald Trump began one of his busiest days of the Asia trip on Tuesday by meeting with the new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and praising her emergence as the country's first female leader, a 'big deal.'

As Trump and Takaichi met on Tuesday, both leaders shook hands, and Trump paid her a compliment: “That’s a very strong handshake.”

“Anything I can do to help Japan, we will be there,” Trump said. “We are an ally at the strongest level.”

In return, Takaichi mentioned watching the third game of the US World Series before the event. She said Japan would give Washington 250 cherry trees next year to honour America’s 250th anniversary, as well as fireworks from Akita Prefecture for 4 July celebrations.

She used her early remarks to mention former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, her archconservative mentor who forged a strong bond with Trump during his first term through their shared interest in golf.

“As a matter of fact, Prime Minister Abe often told me about your dynamic diplomacy,” she said.

Although Trump is visiting one of America’s most steadfast allies in Asia, there’s no shortage of uncertainty while he’s there.

Trump and Takaichi sign 'golden age' agreement

Trump is trying to nail down $550 billion in Japanese investment as part of a trade agreement, while Sanae Takaichi, who became Japan's first female prime minister only days ago, must solidify her relationship with the US while defending her country’s economic interests.

On Tuesday, both leaders signed the implementation of an agreement for the “golden age” of their nations’ alliance.

When the document was held up after signing, it ran to less than one page and reaffirmed the earlier framework by which the US would tax goods imported from Japan at 15% and the creation of a $550 billion fund for Japan to invest in the US.

Trump and Takaichi then signed a second agreement, this one laying out a US-Japan framework for securing the supply of critical minerals and rare earths.

That agreement suggested that some of the investment dollars would go to the development of rare earths needed for advanced technologies.

While Trump in the past has publicly scolded his foreign counterparts, he had nothing but praise for Takaichi on Tuesday, even as the new Japanese leader seemed primed for a charm offensive, including a potential purchase of Ford F-150 trucks.

Reporters arriving for the event were hustled past a gold-hued Ford F-150 as well as what appeared to be white American-made Toyota vehicles parked outside the Akasaka Palace, which is Tokyo’s guest house for visiting foreign leaders.

The US president has often complained that Japan doesn’t buy American vehicles, which are often too wide to be practical on narrow Japanese streets.

Later on Tuesday, the two leaders met with people whose family members were abducted by North Korea.

According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, Takaichi would be nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.