US Japan Summit Strengthens Alliance With Rare Earths, Defense Deals

US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met in Tokyo to strengthen the US-Japan alliance, highlighting enhanced security, trade, and technology cooperation. They signed a landmark agreement aimed at securing critical rare earth mineral supply chains to reduce dependence on China amid rising geopolitical tensions. Both leaders emphasized a "new golden age" for their alliance, with Takaichi pledging to restore Japan's dynamic diplomacy and increase military spending, while Trump offered strong US support and praised her leadership and ties to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The summit included symbolic gestures such as a joint appearance aboard the USS George Washington and discussions on Japan's significant planned US investments. The meeting set the stage for Trump's upcoming talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, underscoring the alliance's strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific region. Together, they outlined joint projects in energy, AI, and critical technologies to bolster their economic and defense partnership.