Donald Trump has endorsed Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ahead of a snap election in her country on Sunday. Takaichi has already proven to be a strong, powerful, and wise leader... one that truly loves her country, the US president wrote in a Truth Social post on Thursday, adding: She will not let the people of Japan down!
While it is rare for US presidents to publicly back candidates in foreign elections, Trump has done so before, endorsing Argentina's Javier Milei and Hungary's Viktor Orban most recently. Takaichi has courted the US president as Tokyo seeks more stability in its relationship with Washington, its closest ally, in the wake of Trump's tariffs.
Trump had threatened a 25% tariff initially, but Japan then struck a deal in July to invest $550bn (£407bn) in the US. In exchange, Washington lowered import levies to 15%. Takaichi, who became PM in October after winning her party's leadership race, called for an election to seek a public mandate.
Just a week after she took office, Tokyo rolled out the red carpet for Trump, welcoming him at the Akasaka Palace with a full military guard of honour. The two leaders praised each other and signed a deal on rare earths, heralding a new golden age of US-Japan relations. During the visit, Takaichi described Trump as a partner in a new golden era and lauded his role in bringing peace to the Middle East.
Trump noted that he and Takaichi have made significant progress in national security cooperation and expressed his intention to welcome her to the White House on March 19. His endorsement comes shortly after a conversation with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, amidst ongoing tensions regarding Taiwan—a critical issue for both Japan and China.
While it is rare for US presidents to publicly back candidates in foreign elections, Trump has done so before, endorsing Argentina's Javier Milei and Hungary's Viktor Orban most recently. Takaichi has courted the US president as Tokyo seeks more stability in its relationship with Washington, its closest ally, in the wake of Trump's tariffs.
Trump had threatened a 25% tariff initially, but Japan then struck a deal in July to invest $550bn (£407bn) in the US. In exchange, Washington lowered import levies to 15%. Takaichi, who became PM in October after winning her party's leadership race, called for an election to seek a public mandate.
Just a week after she took office, Tokyo rolled out the red carpet for Trump, welcoming him at the Akasaka Palace with a full military guard of honour. The two leaders praised each other and signed a deal on rare earths, heralding a new golden age of US-Japan relations. During the visit, Takaichi described Trump as a partner in a new golden era and lauded his role in bringing peace to the Middle East.
Trump noted that he and Takaichi have made significant progress in national security cooperation and expressed his intention to welcome her to the White House on March 19. His endorsement comes shortly after a conversation with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, amidst ongoing tensions regarding Taiwan—a critical issue for both Japan and China.
