Macron meets with Sanae Takaichi to strengthen critical mineral supply chains

SighingCashier · 2026-04-01T22:02:18+00:00

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and French President Emmanuel Macron held talks, reaching a consensus to strengthen supply chains for critical minerals and rare earth cooperation. The two leaders discussed the Middle East situation, emphasizing the importance of ensuring navigation security in the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, the foreign and defense ministers held a "2+2" meeting to enhance defense cooperation, with Macron reaffirming that France will not participate in U.S. military actions against Iran.

SighingCashier

2026-04-01 22:02:18

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Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held talks on Wednesday with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron, and the two sides reached consensus on strengthening critical minerals supply-chain ties and cooperation on rare-earth procurement.

Regarding developments in the Middle East situation, the two countries’ leaders agreed to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, work to cool tensions as quickly as possible, and confirmed that they will closely cooperate to ensure crude oil supply.

This is Macron’s visit to Japan again after his trip in 2023. The foreign ministers and defense ministers of the two countries held “2+2” talks on the same day and agreed to strengthen defense cooperation. Macron reiterated that France will not take part in the military actions by the United States and Israel against Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump recently criticized France for being extremely uncooperative with the U.S. military actions against Iran, including not allowing the loading of military materials and flights to Israel, as well as aircraft flying over French territory. Macron responded that when the U.S. and Israel launched military action against Iran, France was not consulted in advance and did not participate in it.

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