TOKYO: Despite President Donald Trump having congratulated Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on her recent election triumph, Tokyo is under pressure to deliver on colossal investments promised in the United States. -The clock is ticking ahead of Takaichi's White House visit on March 19, and according to media reports tempers are starting to fray. In January, Trump told South Korea that he would raise tariffs to 25 per cent, saying its parliament was "not living up to its Deal with the United States". "The Trump administration is facing difficult mid-term elections.... "The Trump administration is a very tough administration."

Source: The Star February 12, 2026 21:50 UTC