Japan’s new leader Sanae Takaichi to woo Trump with promises on pickup trucks and soya beans

TOKYO – As Japan’s new premier Sanae Takaichi got to work on Oct 22, her government began finalising a purchase package, including US pickup trucks, soya beans and gas, to present to US President Donald Trump in trade and security talks next week, two sources said.

She will not, however, commit to any new defence spending target at the meeting, which comes as Washington presses Japan and other allies to do more, said one of the sources with knowledge of the preparations.

The leaders will sit down in Tokyo early next week during Mr Trump’s first visit to Japan since his re-election, following an agreement by Ms Takaichi’s predecessor, Mr Shigeru Ishiba, to invest as much as US$550 billion (S$714 billion) in the US in return for lower vehicle tariffs.

“The alliance with the United States is the cornerstone of Japan’s foreign and security policy,” Ms Takaichi said on Oct 21 at her inaugural press conference as prime minister.

A Japanese government spokesperson, when asked about the planned purchase package and possible investments, said: “It would be premature to comment on the discussions that may take place during President Trump’s visit.”

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The sweeteners Ms Takaichi plans to offer Mr Trump in her first major diplomatic test include the purchase of Ford F-150 pickup trucks, an idea floated by Mr Trump, and an agreement to buy more US soya beans, which US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick requested in a call with his Japanese counterpart last week, said the sources, who asked not to be identified because they are not authorised to talk to the media.

Beijing’s curbs on US soya bean imports have hurt American farmers reliant on Asian markets. In September, exports to China dropped to zero for the first time in almost seven years.

Tokyo could trim purchases of Brazilian soya beans to make room for more US imports, which already account for 70 per cent of Japan’s consumption, one of the sources told Reuters.

The F-150s, designed for wider US roads, may be used in Japan as snow ploughs.

Investment and defence spending

Japan also plans to buy more US liquefied natural gas, although not for now, from an Alaskan pipeline project championed by Mr Trump.

Officials will also present a list of candidate investment projects under the US$550 billion deal, which both governments will review before Mr Trump makes a final pick, the source added.

During the ruling Liberal Democratic Party leadership race, Ms Takaichi was the only one of the five candidates to suggest the agreement, which gives the US the lion’s share of returns, was unfair.

After her victory, she said she would honour the pact.

A separate Japanese government source said: “Even with a one-to-nine profit split, if the risk is low, it can still make business sense.”

On defence, the hardline conservative Premier has said she wants to deepen security ties with Washington.

Japan already hosts the biggest concentration of US military power, including an aircraft carrier, a US Marine expeditionary force and scores of fighter jets.

At next week’s meeting, she will signal Japan’s willingness to accelerate its defence build-up beyond the 2 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) target set for 2027, the first source said.

On Oct 21, Ms Takaichi said she would instruct defence officials to review three 2022 strategy documents that underpin what is already Japan’s biggest military expansion since World War II.

Asked on Oct 22 whether Japan would review the national security documents, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said: “It’s not about the amount or the ratio to GDP. What matters is the substance of our defence capabilities.”

Mr Trump arrives in Japan on Oct 27 and leaves the following day. He will also meet Emperor Naruhito.

Mr Trump and Ms Takaichi are expected to travel to Malaysia for an Asean gathering from Oct 26, and later to South Korea, which is hosting an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. REUTERS