Trump and Japan’s Takaichi sign deal to secure rare earths supply

Tuesday 28 October 2025 - 08:00

By: Sahili Aya

Trump and Japan’s Takaichi sign deal to secure rare earths supply

Tokyo, October 28, 2025 — United States President Donald Trump met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on Tuesday, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties through new agreements on critical minerals and rare earth supplies.

During a ceremony at Akasaka Palace, both leaders signed a deal aimed at ensuring the resilience and security of mineral supply chains, seeking to reduce global dependence on China for materials essential to high-tech industries and defense manufacturing.

Trump praised Takaichi — Japan’s first female prime minister — for her leadership and pledged continued U.S. support for Japan’s defense efforts. “You will be one of the great prime ministers,” Trump said, congratulating her on her historic role.

Takaichi, a longtime ally of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, highlighted Trump’s role in mediating recent ceasefires in Asia and the Middle East, calling his achievements “unprecedented.” She also announced her intention to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, according to the White House.

The new accord focuses on joint projects to strengthen production and trade in materials such as batteries, permanent magnets, and optical components. It follows Tokyo’s recent commitment to increase defense spending to 2% of GDP, amid growing regional tensions with China.

The meeting also included discussions on trade, shipbuilding cooperation, and agricultural imports under a $550 billion investment package agreed earlier this year.

Trump’s visit to Japan will continue with a stop at the U.S. naval base in Yokosuka, home to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, before heading to South Korea, where he is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping for further talks on trade and regional security.