'Anything I Can Do': Trump Assures Support To Japan, Signs Agreement On Rare Earths Supply

The United States and Japan on Tuesday signed an agreement for securing supplies of critical minerals and rare earths, amid President Donald Trump’s visit to Tokyo.

The deal comes as the United States tries

to boost access to critical minerals, with China tightening controls on rare earths.

Before signing the deal, Donald Trump warmly greeted the new Japanese Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, and complimented her over their handshake, saying, “That’s a very strong handshake.”

Trump also called her role as Japan’s first woman Prime Minister a “big deal”, putting an emphasis on the US commitment to Japan.

“Anything I can do to help Japan, we will be there,” Trump said.

“We are an ally at the strongest level,” he added.

“Everything I know from (late Japanese Prime Minister) Shinzo Abe and others, you will be one of the great prime ministers. I’d also like to congratulate you on being the first woman Prime Minister. It’s a big deal,” Trump told Takaichi as the pair sat down for discussions with their delegations.

Trump also praised Japan‘s efforts to purchase more US defence equipment, while Takaichi said Trump’s role in securing ceasefires between Cambodia and Thailand, and Israel and Palestinian militants, was an “unprecedented” achievement.

Takaichi also said she would nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

She is also expected to offer a package of US investments under a $550-billion deal agreed this year, including shipbuilding, and increased purchases of US soybeans, natural gas and pickup trucks, according to Reuters.

US-JAPAN SIGN RARE EARTHS DEAL

The objective of the deal is “to assist both countries in achieving resilience and security of critical minerals and rare earths supply chains”, a statement mentioned.

It said the United States and Japan would “jointly identify projects of interest to address gaps in supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths, including derivative products such as permanent magnets, batteries, catalysts, and optical materials”.

The two countries “intend to mobilise government and private sector support,” the statement added.

Beijing announced this month sweeping restrictions on the rare earths industry, prompting Trump to threaten 100 per cent tariffs on imports from China in retaliation.

Earlier on his tour of Asia, Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim signed a trade agreement, boosting US access to critical minerals.

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