Takamichi Takami condemns Iran's "blockade" of the Strait of Hormuz and flatters by saying "only Trump can bring peace and prosperity to the entire world"

U.S. President Donald Trump met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Yoshida at the White House on the 19th.

Before Yoshida’s visit to the U.S., Trump expressed hope that Japan would assist in ensuring the safety of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. During the meeting, Trump again called on Japan to contribute more, noting that over 90% of Japan’s imported crude oil passes through the strait, “which is a major reason to take action.”

During her visit, Yoshida condemned Iran’s “blockade” of the Strait of Hormuz and praised, “Only Donald can bring peace and prosperity to the world.” However, her stance on escorting ships was ambiguous.

Yoshida’s visit brought a $73 billion “investment gift” to the U.S., attempting to secure relaxed tariffs from the Trump administration through large-scale investments in America. She stated that the meeting would focus on cooperation in energy and other fields.

According to a statement on the White House website, the two sides agreed on a $40 billion nuclear reactor project, planning to build small modular reactors in Tennessee and Alabama. Additionally, they will invest $33 billion in natural gas power facilities in Pennsylvania and Texas.

Multiple media reports say that the newly announced investment projects are part of Japan’s commitment to a $550 billion investment plan in exchange for U.S. tariff reductions.

Last July, Trump announced that the U.S. and Japan had reached a trade agreement. Under the agreement, Japan would invest $550 billion in the U.S., with the U.S. receiving 90% of the investment profits. Japan would open markets for automobiles, trucks, rice, and certain other agricultural products and goods to the U.S. The U.S. would impose a 15% tariff on Japanese exports.

In February, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling stating that the U.S. International Emergency Economic Powers Act did not authorize the president to impose large-scale tariffs. This marked a significant setback for Trump’s tariff policies. However, the Trump administration continued to pressure multiple countries, including Japan, using alternative tariff measures.

According to Japanese media reports, after the Supreme Court invalidated the U.S. “reciprocal tariffs,” the Japanese government still did not want to anger the U.S. and planned to continue fulfilling the $550 billion investment agreement.