- President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi signed a crucial framework to secure rare earth minerals, directly challenging China’s global market dominance.
- Addressing thousands of US troops aboard the USS George Washington, both leaders vowed to strengthen their military alliance amid rising regional threats from China.
- Takaichi reaffirmed her commitment to increasing Japan’s defense spending to 2% of GDP, a move long advocated by Trump for US allies.
- In response, Beijing has issued a sharp warning, urging Japan to “earnestly respect the security concerns of its neighbors.”
A United Front Against Rising Threats
In a powerful display of unity, US President Donald Trump and Japan’s new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, have vowed to elevate the US-Japan alliance to “even greater, greater heights.” During the second leg of his Asia tour, Trump met with Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, culminating in a joint address to thousands of US service members aboard the USS George Washington docked at the Yokosuka Naval Base.
Prime Minister Takaichi warned that the region faces an “unprecedented security environment,” stating that “peace cannot be preserved by words alone.” Standing alongside Trump, she emphasized that Japan and the US would “join hands to ensure peace and security in this region,” signaling a direct response to China’s increasing military provocations in the South China Sea and pressure on Taiwan.
Breaking China’s Stranglehold on Rare Earths
A cornerstone of the visit was the signing of a new framework on securing the supply of critical minerals and rare earths. The agreement is a strategic move to counter China’s near-monopoly on these essential resources, which Beijing has previously weaponized in trade disputes. For years, Washington has sought to build alternative supply chains, and this pact marks a significant step in that direction.
Takaichi, a long-time advocate for economic security and a noted China hawk, has been determined to reduce Japan’s reliance on Beijing, which still accounts for around 70% of its rare earth imports. This new framework aligns perfectly with Trump’s agenda to break China’s economic leverage.
日米同盟を基軸とした力強い日本の外交を立て直す決意を申し上げました。また、自由で開かれたインド太平洋（FOIP）を力強く推進していくことでトランプ大統領と一致しました。 https://t.co/f4Oic2a7NC
— 高市早苗 (@takaichi_sanae) October 28, 2025
“This Woman is a Winner”: A Strong Personal Alliance
Throughout the visit, President Trump offered lavish praise for his new counterpart. Aboard the USS George Washington, he introduced Takaichi by declaring, “This woman is a winner,” prompting her to pump her fist in the air. He lauded their burgeoning relationship, stating it “will be stronger than ever before.”
This strong personal bond provides Takaichi with political cover to advance her ambitious and controversial defense reforms. Her goals, which echo Trump’s hard-line stance, include amending Japan’s pacifist constitution and formally recognizing its Self-Defense Forces as a national military.
Japan’s Commitment to a Stronger Military
Prime Minister Takaichi has long pushed for Japan to increase its defense spending to 2% of its GDP, a target that aligns with Trump’s demands for NATO and other allies. She told US troops that Japan was committed to “fundamentally reinforce its defense capabilities” and was “ready to contribute even more proactively to peace and stability of the region.” This signals a major shift in Japan’s post-war military posture, turning the nation into the defense powerhouse she has long envisioned.
China’s Swift Rebuke
The strengthened alliance and assertive rhetoric have not gone unnoticed. Beijing responded swiftly, with a foreign ministry spokesperson urging Japan to “deeply reflect on its history of aggression… and win the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community through concrete actions.” The statement underscores the rising tensions as the US and its allies consolidate their strategy to counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific.