Trump, Japan’s First Female PM Sign Critical Minerals, $550B Trade Deals

President Donald Trump and Japan's first female Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, met in Tokyo to sign a framework agreement aimed at securing the supply of critical minerals and rare earth elements, essential for technology and defense industries, reducing reliance on China's near-monopoly. The agreement includes coordinated investment efforts, streamlined permitting, and the creation of a joint Rapid Response Group to address supply vulnerabilities, with plans to identify and fund new mining and processing projects within six months. Alongside this, Japan pledged to increase defense spending to 2% of GDP, aligning with Trump's calls for stronger regional security against China, while also committing to boost U.S. investments worth $550 billion in sectors like shipbuilding, natural gas, soybeans, and pickup trucks. Trump praised Takaichi as "one of the great prime ministers" and highlighted her ties to the late Shinzo Abe, emphasizing the strengthening of Japan-U.S. relations. The visit also included symbolic gestures such as Japan gifting cherry trees to Washington and Trump meeting with relatives of North Korean abductees, underscoring broader diplomatic efforts. This meeting reflects the deepening economic and security partnership between the U.S. and Japan amid growing strategic competition with China.