Department of Strategic Research, Studies and International Relations 28-10-2025

In a high-profile meeting in Tokyo, U.S. President Donald Trump and Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, signed a series of agreements centered on trade, military cooperation, and the supply of rare earth minerals, a move widely seen as part of Washington’s continued strategy to undermine China’s dominance in the global minerals market.

During the talks, Trump hailed Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister and a political protégé of the late Shinzo Abe, as a “strong and remarkable leader.” Takaichi, in turn, praised Trump and even announced her intention to nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize, citing his alleged efforts in mediating past conflicts in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

While the meeting appeared cordial, the underlying agenda was unmistakably geopolitical. Washington’s aim to control rare earth supply chains, essential for advanced technologies, including military equipment, reflects its growing anxiety over China’s technological and industrial rise. Japan, long dependent on American political and security guarantees, appeared eager to appease Washington’s demands despite growing tensions in the Asia-Pacific.

Washington’s strategic interests disguised as “Partnership”

The centerpiece of the visit was the signing of an agreement on “critical minerals and rare earths,” which both sides claimed would strengthen supply chain “resilience.” The White House described the deal as a way for the U.S. and Japan to jointly identify and develop projects that reduce dependence on Chinese-supplied minerals used in products such as smartphones, electric vehicle batteries, and fighter jets.

In reality, the initiative signals Washington’s push to monopolize strategic resources under the guise of “economic security.” Rare earths, a group of 17 elements vital for green energy and defense technologies, are an area where China has maintained a near-global monopoly due to its efficient production and refining capacity. By roping Japan into these deals, the U.S. seeks to carve out a new mineral bloc aimed at isolating Beijing economically.

Economic pressure and symbolic gestures

The meeting also produced agreements on shipbuilding, agricultural imports, and energy purchases. According to reports, Japan is set to increase imports of U.S. soybeans, liquefied natural gas, and pickup trucks, all part of a $550 billion investment package negotiated earlier this year.

Analysts note that these purchases primarily benefit U.S. industries while placing additional financial strain on Japan’s economy, already burdened by rising energy costs and stagnant wages. These deals serve as a diplomatic trade-off, an attempt by Tokyo to placate Washington and avoid further pressure on increasing its defense spending.

Takaichi, who had earlier pledged to boost Japan’s military budget to 2 percent of its GDP, reiterated her plans to accelerate defense expansion amid “regional challenges,” a phrase that clearly points to China’s growing influence in the East China Sea and beyond. Such rhetoric aligns perfectly with Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy, which relies heavily on militarizing regional allies to contain Beijing and Moscow.

Lavish praise and political theater

The encounter at the lavish Akasaka Palace was marked by ceremonial gestures and mutual flattery. Takaichi presented Trump with gifts including a gold-leaf golf ball, a golf bag signed by Japanese champion Hideki Matsuyama, and a putter once owned by the late Shinzo Abe, a symbolic nod to the close ties between the two leaders.

“It’s a very strong handshake,” Trump remarked for photographers, echoing the theatrics often used to display personal chemistry in U.S. diplomacy. “You’ll be one of the great prime ministers,” he added, portraying Takaichi as a loyal partner in Washington’s strategic playbook.

Despite the show of friendship, critics in Japan have voiced concerns about the growing perception that Tokyo is becoming overly dependent on American approval for its political legitimacy and foreign policy direction.

Military ties and regional posturing

The two leaders are expected to visit the U.S. naval base in Yokosuka, home to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington. The visit serves as a reminder of the deep-rooted American military presence in Japan, a legacy of the post-World War II occupation that continues to limit Tokyo’s strategic independence.

Trump also plans to meet with business leaders in Tokyo before heading to South Korea, where he will hold discussions aimed at easing trade tensions with China. Despite Washington’s aggressive posturing, many analysts believe Beijing, Moscow, and New Delhi are now forming a more resilient bloc capable of counterbalancing U.S. influence in global trade and security.

The broader geopolitical picture

This visit comes amid shifting global dynamics where the United States, facing declining influence, increasingly resorts to economic coercion and strategic containment to maintain dominance. China and Russia, meanwhile, continue to strengthen their cooperation through initiatives such as BRICS+ and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, promoting multipolarity and fairer trade relations.

India’s growing partnership with both Moscow and Beijing also signals a changing order in which Asian powers no longer accept Western hegemony. Japan’s alignment with U.S. policies, therefore, appears more like a political obligation than a genuine strategic choice.

While Washington frames the rare earths deal as a step toward “supply chain security,” the reality remains that it is an attempt to weaken China’s leverage and maintain technological supremacy. However, China’s deep reserves, industrial capabilities, and partnerships with countries across Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America suggest that the U.S. will face stiff resistance in any effort to reshape global resource networks.

Conclusion

Trump’s visit to Tokyo may be framed as a diplomatic success by U.S. media, but in essence, it highlights America’s growing desperation to cling to its fading global influence. By pressuring allies like Japan into unequal economic and military agreements, Washington reveals its fear of the emerging Eurasian alliance, led by China, Russia, and India, that now defines the new global order.

Far from ensuring stability, these U.S.-backed deals risk deepening divisions in the Asia-Pacific and pushing the region further toward a future dominated not by American dominance, but by true multipolar cooperation.