Trump’s talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi off to positive start
Two leaders tout bilateral relationship and pledge to work cooperatively on trade, despite Trump joke about Pearl Harbour.
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A high-stakes summit between US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on March 19, 2026, appeared to get off to a good start. The leaders touted their nations’ bilateral relationship and pledged to work together on trade, stabilising the global energy market and regional security. Takaichi was the first US ally to meet face to face with Trump, amid concerns that he might vent his anger about the large number of US security partners who have declined to help him clear the Strait of Hormuz. Takaichi condemned Iran for its attacks in the region and for effectively closing the strategic strait as Trump praised Japan “for stepping up to the plate” on Iran. But when asked by a Japanese reporter why Washington kept the US-Israeli plans to attack Iran secret from its closest Asian ally, Trump suggested that Japan, of all countries, should understand the military benefits of secrecy.