Trump refuses to rule out third term as he signs rare earths deal with new Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi: Live updates

At their first meeting in Tokyo, Donald Trump told Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi she has “a very strong handshake.”

The remark was made soon after the U.S. President arrived at the decorated Akasaka Palace and the two exchanged some greetings before shaking hands.

Speaking just ahead of their talks, Takaichi praised Trump for his “unwavering commitment to world peace and stability” and said that Japan was ready for “the greatest alliance in the world”.

“Let me share with you my determination: As the leader of Japan, I will continue to strive to strengthen Japan’s national power, namely its diplomacy and defense capabilities, economic power, technology, intelligence and human resources.” she said.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi gave U.S. President Donald Trump a golf bag signed by golfing star Hideki Matsuyama and a putter once owned by Shinzo Abe.

The two also signed baseball caps that read “Japan Is Back” echoing Trump’s slogan “America Is Back.”

Japan will become the latest country to nominate Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

The president has long angled for the prize, and the White House frequently touts the number of conflicts it claims Trump’s personal intervention ended.

Here’s more on Trump’s recent diplomatic achievements.

During his visit to Japan, officials played into Donald Trump’s well-known love of golf.

At a meeting on Tuesday in Tokyo, Prime Minister Sanae Sakaichi presented the president with a putter that belonged to the late prime minister Shinzo Abe, as well as a golf bag signed by Japanese pro Hideki Matsuyama.

Donald Trump and Sanae Takaichi just signed an agreement to strengthen both countries’ access to rare earth minerals used in key industries like defense and electronics.

The deal, while light on specifics, will see both countries up efforts to “accelerate the secure supply of critical minerals and rare earths necessary to support domestic industries, including advanced technologies and their respective industrial bases.”

The countries will establish a U.S.-Japan Critical Minerals Supply Security Rapid Response Group and reach a “mutually complementary stockpiling arrangement,” per the White House.

The agreement is a likely attempt to balance recent Chinese restrictions on the export of these critical materials as part of the ongoing U.S.-China trade war.

Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi may sign a joint document today securing rare earth minerals, the Japanese Asahi newspaper reports.

The potential deal comes as China imposed restrictions earlier this month on its rare mineral supply amid the ongoing trade war with the U.S.

During Trump’s Asia tour, U.S. officials are expected to announce a trade deal with China that may avert the metals crunch.

President Trump emphasized the close ties between the U.S. and Japan and celebrated the country’s plans to purchase more military hardware from American going forward.

He also congratulated Prime Minister Takaichi on becoming the first female leader of Japan, predicting she will be “one of the great prime ministers.”

“That’s a big deal and I want to congratulate you on that,” he said. “That has to be called out. You’re going to do a fantastic job and we’re going to have a fantastic relationship.”

As a sign of friendship, Japan says it will donate 250 of its famous cherry trees, as well as fireworks, to be used in celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary celebrations next year.