Tokyo, 28 October (H.S.): President Donald Trump arrived in Japan on Monday, embarking on a diplomatic and economic mission highlighted by a pivotal first meeting with Japan’s new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi. As he began his visit, Trump expressed strong optimism about resolving trade disputes with China, predicting a deal would be finalized within days.
The President’s Asia tour, which has a significant focus on trade, brought him to Tokyo following a regional summit in Malaysia. Upon his arrival, Trump’s only scheduled event for Monday was a courtesy call with Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace, where the two leaders exchanged pleasantries.
The diplomatic focus will intensify on Tuesday with Trump’s scheduled talks with Prime Minister Takaichi. Having taken office just last week as Japan’s first female leader, Takaichi faces an early test in navigating trade tensions with the U.S.
President Trump noted her close ties to his former counterpart, Shinzo Abe, expressing confidence that their discussions would be very good for U.S.-Japan relations.
Aboard Air Force One en route to Tokyo, accompanied by senior officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trump told reporters he anticipates a successful conclusion to trade negotiations with Beijing before his tour ends.
Officials from both nations indicated that a basic consensus was reached over the weekend, setting the stage for a high-stakes meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later in the week at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea. Treasury Secretary Bessent also suggested a deal concerning TikTok’s U.S. operations could be finalized at the summit.
During the flight, Trump also touched on other regional matters, renewing his openness to a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, stating, If he wants to meet, I’ll be in South Korea. On domestic politics, he dismissed speculation about running for vice president as too cute, while praising Vice President JD Vance and Secretary Rubio as a potentially unstoppable future Republican ticket.
—————
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
