Trump and Japanese leader trade praise and vow to strengthen alliance

US President Donald Trump is addressing US troops stationed in Japan alongside the country’s new conservative prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, on the second leg of his Asia tour. Earlier today, the leaders signed a framework on securing the supply of critical minerals and rare earths. China has a near-monopoly on global rare-earth supplies, which Beijing has weaponized in its trade war with the US. Washington has been trying to cut deals with other nations to break the supply stranglehold.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told US troops aboard the USS George Washington at the Yokosuka Naval Base that the region faces an “unprecedented security environment” and that Japan and the US would “join hands to ensure peace and security in this region.”

“Peace cannot be preserved by words alone. It can be protected only when there is an unwavering determination and action,” Takaichi said Tuesday, standing alongside President Donald Trump.

Both countries aim to increase their show of force in the region to counter rising threats from China, which has been steadily increasing military provocations, launching drills in the South China Sea and escalating pressure on Taiwan.

Read more