Trump praises Japan's new prime minister, says US an 'ally at strongest level'

President Donald Trump began one of his busiest days of his Asia trip on Tuesday by warmly greeting the new Japanese prime minister with plans to later speak to US troops aboard an aircraft carrier and mingle with business leadersAlthough Trump is visiting one of Americas most steadfast allies in Asia theres no shortage of uncertainty while hes there Sanae Takaichi who became the countrys first female prime minister only days ago must solidify her relationship with Trump while defending her countrys economic interests Trump is trying to nail down USD 550 billion in Japanese investment as part of a trade deal that would reduce US tariffsAs Trump and Takaichi met on Tuesday they shook hands and he paid her a compliment Thats a very strong handshake In return Takaichi talked about watching the third game of the US World Series before the event She said Japan would give Washington 250 cherry trees next year to honor Americas 250th anniversary as well as fireworks from Akita Prefecture for July 4 celebrationsShe 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 of golf As a matter of fact Prime Minister Abe often told me about your dynamic diplomacy she saidTrump called her role as Japans first woman prime minister as a big deal putting an emphasis on the US commitment to Japan While the president in the past has publicly scolded his foreign counterparts he had nothing but praise for Tackaichi Anything I can do to help Japan we will be there Trump said We are an ally at the strongest levelTakaichi is primed for a charm offensive including a potential purchase of Ford F150 trucks Reporters arriving for the event were hustled past a goldhued Ford F150 as well as what appeared to be white Americanmade Toyota vehicles parked outside the Akasaka Palace which is Tokyos guest house for visiting foreign leaders Trump has often complained that Japan doesnt buy American vehicles which are often too wide to be practical on narrow Japanese streetsBoth leaders signed the implementation of an agreement for the golden age of their nations alliance The content of the agreement was unclear but when held up after signing the document ran to less than onepage Trump and Takaichi then signed a second agreement this one laying out a USJapan framework for securing the supply of critical minerals and rare earthsAlthough Trump has focused his foreign policy toward Asia around tariffs and trade hes also speaking aboard the USS George Washington an aircraft carrier docked at an American naval base near Tokyo Trump arrived in Tokyo on Monday when he met with the emperor in a ceremonial visit He was previously in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia where he participated in the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian NationsThe gathering was an opportunity for Trump to celebrate an expanded ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia which skirmished along their disputed border earlier this year Trump had pressured them to stop fighting by threatening to withhold trade agreementsThere were also signs that tensions between the US and China were cooling ahead of a planned meeting between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping which is expected to take place in South Korea later this week Top negotiators from each country said a trade deal was coming together which could prevent a potentially damaging confrontation between the worlds two largest economiesDetails were scarce and it was unclear how much any agreement would resolve longstanding issues or if it would return the relationship to the status quo before recent confrontations China has restructured the export of rare earth elements that are critical for hightech manufacturing and Trump responded by threatening tariffs that even he admits would be unsustainable Trump is scheduled to leave Wednesday for South Korea which is hosting the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation summitThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever