Trump tells Japan US is ‘strongest level’ ally

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TOKYO: Donald Trump told Japan’s new leader Sana Takeichi on Tuesday that Washington is the strongest level ally, as the US president visited Tokyo on a trip to Asia aimed at a trade deal with China.

Takeuchi greeted Trump at the prime minister’s residence in Tokyo, marking his first face-to-face meeting with a US leader just days after taking office.

“We are allies at the strongest level, and it’s a great honor to be with you, especially so early in what will be, I think, one of the greatest prime ministers,” he told Takechi at their meeting.

Takachi also stressed the nations’ bond, saying “I want to realize a new golden age of Japan-US alliance, where both Japan and the US will become stronger and more prosperous.”

Takeuchi said she would nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, White House spokeswoman Carolyn Levitt told reporters.

Trump arrived on Monday sandwiched between a trip to Malaysia and a meeting in South Korea with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping that could ease a trade war between the world’s two largest economies while clearing US tariffs.

Negotiators in Beijing and Washington have both confirmed that a “framework” has been agreed.

In Tokyo, Trump and Takachi are expected to focus on security and trade between their allies.

“The important thing is to find some kind of middle ground,” said Takashi Ito, a 58-year-old Tokyo resident.

“Emphasis on just raising revenues has already created various problems.”

On security, long-pacifist Japan is adopting a more muscular military stance as relations with China sour.

China’s Ai Hawke, who last week became Japan’s first woman to serve as prime minister, said her government would achieve its goal of spending 2% of gross domestic product on defense this year – two years ahead of schedule.

The United States, which has about 60,000 military personnel in Japan, wants to spend even more than Tokyo, possibly matching the 5% of GDP that NATO members pledged in June.

Yi Kwang-heng, a professor at the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Public Policy, told AFP that Takeichi had brought forward the target “in advance” because of “removing US pressure” on Japan to increase defense spending.

In addition to meeting with Takeuchi, Trump is scheduled to give a speech on Tuesday at the USS George Washington aircraft carrier, which was docked at the U.S. Navy base in Yokosuka.

He will also have dinner with business leaders, possibly including the chairman of automaker Toyota.

‘extraordinary’

Most Japanese imports into the United States are subject to tariffs of 15 percent, less painful than the 25 percent previously threatened but still contributing to a 24 percent drop in U.S. bound car exports in September.

The car industry accounts for about 88% of employment in Japan.

Under the terms of a July trade deal brokered by the White House, Japan is expected to invest $550 billion in the United States.

Takeuchi will have trouble building a good relationship with Trump, who had a close personal relationship with slain former premier Shinzo Abe.

Trump has said he has heard “extraordinary things” about Takeuchi, “a great ally and friend of Shinzo Abe, who was a friend of mine”.

“I think she’s going to be great.”

Media reports said Trump is expected to seal critical mineral and shipbuilding deals, adding to deals signed in Malaysia, where the president began his first Asia trip since returning to office.

The biggest prize for Trump and global markets is the China trade deal.

Trump is scheduled to meet with Xi in South Korea on Thursday after the 79-year-old Republican returned to office in January.

“I have a lot of respect for President Xi and we’re going to, come away with a deal,” Trump told reporters from Malaysia.

Trump also indicated that he was willing to extend his trip to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, although no such meeting has been announced.

– with additional input from the writers