Evening Briefing Asia

Trump Praises Alliance With Japan as China Expands Asian Trade Pact

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US President Donald Trump and Sanae Takaichi, Japan's prime minister, during a signing ceremony for an agreement on critical minerals and rare earths in Tokyo on Tuesday. — US President Donald Trump and Sanae Takaichi, Japan's prime minister, during a signing ceremony for an agreement on critical minerals and rare earths in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg

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By Richard Frost

October 28, 2025 at 9:01 AM UTC

It’s a busy time for diplomacy and deals in Asia. President Donald Trump hailed the US’s alliance with Japan and praised new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on her plans to ratchet up defense spending as the pair met in Tokyo.

“I want to just let you know anytime you have any question, any doubt, anything you want, any favors you need, anything I can do to help Japan, we will be there,” Trump said. “We are an ally at the strongest level.”