In Tokyo on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump and Japan’s newly appointed first female prime minister Sanae Takaichi formalised a sweeping agreement on critical minerals and rare earths while discussing trade, defence and investment. 

The “trump japan critical minerals deal” signals a firm pivot by both nations to secure supply chains for materials vital to everything from smartphones to fighter jets, and to bolster bilateral ties amid growing regional tensions. This step is layered atop broader moves involving trade and military coordination.

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