U.S. President Donald Trump and Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi have signed a landmark framework agreement on rare metals and critical minerals, strengthening economic and strategic cooperation between the two allies.
Like the United States, Tokyo is racing to secure stable supplies of critical minerals, as China, the dominant global producer of rare earths, has tightened export controls and threatened global supply chains.
According to Japan’s government-backed Organization for Metals and Energy Security, the country still relies on China for around 70% of its rare metal imports.
During the second leg of his Asian tour, President Trump met with Prime Minister Takaichi, a staunch conservative who took office just days ago.
Takaichi declared the start of a “new golden era” for Japan and the U.S.–Japan alliance. Trump praised her as “one of the great prime ministers,” assuring that the United States is “a partner at the strongest possible level.”
Takaichi, a longtime protégé of slain former leader Shinzo Abe, received heartfelt words from Trump, who described Abe as “one of my best friends—perhaps my closest friend in government,” adding, “Shinzo was a great man—he loved you.”
As Japan’s first female conservative prime minister, Takaichi is determined to ensure Japan never again faces such dependency on foreign powers.
A strong advocate for economic and maritime security, Takaichi has repeatedly called for developing Japan’s own rare metal supply and reducing reliance on Beijing. As Minister of Economic Security under former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, she frequently warned of China’s grip on critical materials—consistent with her reputation as one of Japan’s most outspoken critics of Beijing.
Her approach aligns closely with Trump’s broader strategy to break China’s dominance over resource supply chains and pursue new resource partnerships with trusted allies.
