Trump and Takaichi bond over a mutual pal – and a mutual enemy

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Throughout their carefully watched first meeting in Tokyo, Donald Trump and Sanae Takaichi appeared extra like outdated associates than world leaders.

There have been smiles, again slaps, hugs and even a joke about working late as a result of they’d been watching the LA Dodgers – led by Japanese megastar Shohei Ohtani – play within the World Collection.

The US president obtained a Nobel Peace Prize nomination (the second of his Asia journey), and a golf putter beforehand owned by the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who famously bonded with Trump on the inexperienced.

Their simple camaraderie continued on the Yokosuka naval base, the place Trump invited Takaichi on stage aboard the USS George Washington and praised her management. The brand new Japanese PM responded with a triumphant fist pump and a twirl, a second that shortly went viral in her nation.

The message was unmistakable: the Abe-era chemistry between Washington and Tokyo is again.

“She is a delight,” Trump instructed enterprise leaders on the conclusion of the day’s actions. “I bought to know her fairly properly in a brief time period.”

It’s not usually Trump exhibits this degree of heat towards a international chief, notably one from a rustic that’s weathered his tariff wars. It’s simply as uncommon to see a Japanese prime minister show such open affection on the world stage.

It actually helps that the 2 see eye to eye on a number of political points. Each are right-wing conservatives who help army buildup and a harder stance on China. Their shared connection to Abe additionally helps clarify their rapport. Abe was certainly one of Trump’s “greatest associates” in international politics, in addition to being Takaichi’s political mentor.

However beneath the picture ops and nostalgia additionally lies a strategic alliance born of mutual want. Particularly as each leaders eye the identical adversary in Beijing.

For Trump, having a staunch ally within the Asia-Pacific area keen to take a tough line towards China is an plain win. Takaichi, a longtime China hawk, has criticized Beijing’s army enlargement and financial coercion for years. Her hardline stance dovetails neatly with Trump’s “America First” worldview.

The 2 additionally unveiled a brand new framework on uncommon earths, geared toward decreasing dependence on China’s near-monopoly over essential assets. Particulars had been obscure, however the message of cooperation was clear. Japan nonetheless remembers the 2010 “uncommon earths shock,” when Beijing lower off exports after a territorial dispute. Takaichi has since made securing secure provide chains a key a part of her financial agenda.

Commerce and funding additionally featured prominently on the summit. Japan pledged roughly $490 billion in US-bound investments, led by firms in AI, semiconductors, protection and superior manufacturing, a part of a broader commerce deal already agreed upon by the allies in September.

For Trump, who prizes loyalty and has a protracted reminiscence for slights, an allegiance to Japan solidified early in his first time period. Abe took nice care to develop the US-Japan relationship, at a time when the president didn't have lots of help on the world stage.

International dignitaries and leaders openly laughed on the president throughout a 2018 United Nations Common Meeting tackle. In 2019, a gaggle of NATO leaders had been captured on digital camera gossiping about him.

However Abe cultivated his American counterpart with considerate gestures that performed on to Trump’s pursuits: a number of golf outings, the pomp and circumstance of a state banquet, and a visit to a sumo wrestling event the place Trump bestowed the winner with a “President’s Cup.”

Trump remained near his counterpart till Abe’s assassination in 2022, and hosted his widow at Mar-a-Lago final yr.

That goodwill paved the way in which for Takaichi’s success on Wednesday.

“He actually likes her,” stated a senior Trump administration official who noticed their interactions behind closed doorways.

She additionally benefited from timing: Takaichi took workplace after Trump’s reciprocal tariffs rocked markets and reimagined US alliances – shielding her from tangling with the Trump administration to barter a commerce deal.

For Takaichi, standing shoulder to shoulder with Trump strengthens her hand at house. Her approval rankings soared after taking workplace, however her ruling social gathering nonetheless lacks a parliamentary majority after current election losses. Public frustration over previous scandals additionally lingers. Projecting Japan’s affect overseas, and reaffirming its bond with Washington, helps her rebuild political capital.

For Trump, the optics are simply as priceless. Hardening a detailed alliance with Tokyo provides him diplomatic momentum forward of a extra contentious assembly with China’s Xi Jinping. It’s additionally a reminder to Beijing that he’s not quick on highly effective associates within the area.