(NewsNation) — President Donald Trump continued to tout his recent trade deals Tuesday in Japan, marking the second leg of an Asian tour that will culminate in a face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
During a meeting with new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on Tuesday, Trump referred to Japan as an “ally at the strongest level” and praised the country’s previous $550 billion investment commitment to the United States.
The leaders struck a pair of deals, including one that secures critical and rare-earth minerals for the U.S.
“We’ve made Japan a lot of money, that’s OK,” Trump told troops on the USS George Washington. “But they’re a big investor in our country, and we like that.”
YOKOSUKA, JAPAN – OCTOBER 28: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to troops aboard USS George Washington at Fleet Activities Yokosuka on October 28, 2025 in Yokosuka, Japan. Trump is visiting Japan, fresh off an appearance at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, and will next travel to South Korea for the APEC meetings. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) 
YOKOSUKA, JAPAN – OCTOBER 28: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) and U.S.Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (R) react as President Donald Trump (not pictured) prepares to speak to troops aboard USS George Washington at Fleet Activities Yokosuka on October 28, 2025 in Yokosuka, Japan. Trump is visiting Japan, fresh off an appearance at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, and will next travel to South Korea for the APEC meetings. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) 
YOKOSUKA, JAPAN – OCTOBER 28: U.S. President Donald Trump applauds as Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to troops aboard USS George Washington at Fleet Activities Yokosuka on October 28, 2025 in Yokosuka, Japan. Trump is visiting Japan, fresh off an appearance at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, and will next travel to South Korea for the APEC meetings. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
With Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in the crowd, Trump praised American military power and recruitment.
He also announced a $10 billion investment into Toyota auto plants across the U.S. At a later event with business leaders, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said an additional $490 billion in investment would soon be signed.
“It’s a great honor,” Trump said. “You are all great businesspeople.”
Trump leaves Japan for South Korea on Wednesday, where he will meet with leaders, including Xi, at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference.
Tariffs, trade and TikTok are expected to be the focuses of that long-awaited meeting, which comes following news of a framework for a trade deal between the U.S. and China.
The deal may also involve China resuming the purchase of soybeans from U.S. farmers after trade disputes disrupted the once-solid relationship.
Regarding the upcoming meeting, Trump said on Tuesday, “It’s going to work out very well actually.”