Japan's New PM Plans US Pickups Soybeans Amid Defense Spending Standoff

Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is preparing a package of purchases to present to President Donald Trump during his upcoming visit, including US-made Ford F-150 pickup trucks, increased imports of US soybeans, and more liquefied natural gas. This move aims to strengthen the US-Japan alliance and support American industries, particularly those affected by Beijing's restrictions on US soybean imports. Despite Washington's pressure for greater military investment, Takaichi will not commit to new defense spending targets during the talks but intends to review Japan's strategic defense policies. The planned purchases follow a previous agreement by her predecessor to invest up to $550 billion in the US in exchange for lower auto tariffs. Takaichi emphasized that the alliance with the United States remains the cornerstone of Japan's foreign and security policy, seeking to bolster her administration and secure Washington's backing for regional security. The F-150 trucks, while large for typical Japanese roads, may be used as snowplows, and Japan might reduce Brazilian soybean imports to accommodate more US soybeans, which already make up 70% of its consumption.