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In the course of a latest trip to Tokyo, former US President Trump and Japan's recently elected Premier Sanae Takaichi shared warm compliments and pledged to strengthen the already robust bilateral relations.

Highlights from the Encounter

Donald Trump praised Prime Minister Takaichi as a ‘great’ leader and congratulated her on assuming the role of the nation's first woman premier. During their discussions at Tokyo's official venue, the former president expressed optimism that Takaichi would become one of the ‘great prime ministers’ of Japan.

The prime minister, who is a protégée of former Japanese leader Shinzo Abe, applauded his initiatives to address international disputes and reportedly pledged to put forward him for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Trade and Security Agreements

Both governments revealed a list of joint initiatives in sectors such as power, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals. Japanese firms are exploring funding of up to $400bn in the United States.

Furthermore, Tokyo had earlier committed $550bn in strategic American projects, financing, and guarantees as part of an arrangement to secure relief from the former president's tariffs.

These moves are viewed as possibly easing any upcoming demands from the US side for Tokyo to increase its military spending. Takaichi addressed this by committing to fast-track proposals to increase defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product.

Additional US Politics Updates

• Donald Trump did not rule out to a another term, though it is constitutionally impossible. He remarked he ‘would like’ to serve again but would not use a vice presidential workaround.
• A Michigan congresswoman Rashida Tlaib reacted to Trump's statements, declaring, “No way in hell we’re going to let that happen.”
• California Governor Newsom indicated he will decide on a 2028 presidential run after the 2026 midterm elections.
• The leader of America’s biggest federal workers union called for an end to the federal closure, which is now the second-longest in US history.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries for supporting a candidate in the NYC mayoral election.
• The governor of Indiana Braun announced a special session to reconsider electoral maps.
• Democratic leaders in several states are planning redistricting in response to GOP actions.

“Everything I know from Shinzo and others, you will be one of the great prime ministers,” Donald Trump said to Takaichi. “I’d also like to congratulate you on being the first woman prime minister. It’s a big deal,” he continued.

The meeting underscores the ongoing significance of the US-Japan alliance and paves the way for further cooperation on economic, security, and foreign policy fronts.