Trump visits Japan as largest federal employee’s union calls for immediate end to shutdown: Live updates

During his visit to Japan, officials played into Donald Trump’s well-known love of golf.

At a meeting on Tuesday in Tokyo, Prime Minister Sanae Sakaichi presented the president with a putter that belonged to the late prime minister Shinzo Abe, as well as a golf bag signed by Japanese pro Hideki Matsuyama.

Donald Trump and Sanae Takaichi just signed an agreement to strengthen both countries’ access to rare earth minerals used in key industries like defense and electronics.

The deal, while light on specifics, will see both countries up efforts to “accelerate the secure supply of critical minerals and rare earths necessary to support domestic industries, including advanced technologies and their respective industrial bases.”

The countries will establish a U.S.-Japan Critical Minerals Supply Security Rapid Response Group and reach a “mutually complementary stockpiling arrangement,” per the White House.

The agreement is a likely attempt to balance recent Chinese restrictions on the export of these critical materials as part of the ongoing U.S.-China trade war.

Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi may sign a joint document today securing rare earth minerals, the Japanese Asahi newspaper reports.

The potential deal comes as China imposed restrictions earlier this month on its rare mineral supply amid the ongoing trade war with the U.S.

During Trump’s Asia tour, U.S. officials are expected to announce a trade deal with China that may avert the metals crunch.

President Trump emphasized the close ties between the U.S. and Japan and celebrated the country’s plans to purchase more military hardware from American going forward.

He also congratulated Prime Minister Takaichi on becoming the first female leader of Japan, predicting she will be “one of the great prime ministers.”

“That’s a big deal and I want to congratulate you on that,” he said. “That has to be called out. You’re going to do a fantastic job and we’re going to have a fantastic relationship.”

As a sign of friendship, Japan says it will donate 250 of its famous cherry trees, as well as fireworks, to be used in celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary celebrations next year.

Prime Minister Takaichi is currently sharing opening remarks before a roundtable with U.S. officials including Donald Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Thank you for your enduring friendship with Prime Minister Abe over the years. In addition, thank you for extending gracious hospitality to Mrs. Akiya Abe at the end of last year.

As a matter of fact, Prime Minister Abe often told me about your dynamic diplomacy. Most recently, Mr. President, you succeeded in securing a cease fire deal between Thailand and Cambodia, and contributed to ensuring peace in Asia. Also the deal you have recently achieved in the Middle East is an unprecedented, historic achievement.

President Trump has kicked off his meeting on Tuesday with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the country’s first female leader.

The two shared a warm greeting and posed before both nations’ flags.

Trump spoke of Japan as a strong friend to the U.S.

Former special counsel Jack Smith asked the Justice Department for guidance on Monday about what he can and can’t discuss in potential public testimony before Congress, The New York Times reports.

In a letter to the DOJ, Smith’s attorneys said the former official “respectfully requests guidance” on issues including grand jury secrecy rules and access to special counsel files that could affect what the ex-prosecutor can say openly.

Smith, who Republicans in Congress are investigating on allegations he led politically motivated investigations and criminal cases against Trump, is seeking to testify before lawmakers.

He has denied his cases had partisan underpinnings.