Trump courts Japan's emperor and new PM before high-stakes Xi summit this week


President Donald Trump is cozying up with top ally Japan’s emperor and new prime minister Monday ahead of a high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Upon arrival in Tokyo, Trump sat down with Japanese Emperor Naruhito, the nation’s symbolic leader, at Tokyo’s Imperial Palace.

On Tuesday, Trump will meet Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi.

The two are expected to bond over their fondness for Shinzo Abe, Japan’s former prime minister who was assassinated in 2022.

TRUMP’S FOCUS TURNS TO JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA AS ASIA TRIP CONTINUES

"I look forward to meeting the new prime minister. I hear phenomenal things," Trump said on Monday. "He was a great ally and friend of Shinzo Abe, who was my friend, the former prime minister. And he was great. He was one of my best … I know they were very close."

"I think she’s going to be great," he said of Takaichi.

Meanwhile, U.S. and China negotiators reported great progress in Malaysia on a potential trade deal, easing tensions ahead of the Trump-Xi meeting on Thursday.

Relations between the two world leaders had strained over China’s recent crackdown on critical mineral exports and Trump threatened to bring back the 100% tariff on Chinese goods.

Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent said Sunday talks on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit had eliminated the need for 100% tariffs, expected to take effect Nov. 1, and that he expects China to delay implementation of its restrictions on rare earth minerals and magnets.

Trump and Xi are expected to sign off on the agreement during the meeting if talks go well.

JAPAN’S FIRST FEMALE PM TO MEET TRUMP: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE HEAVY METAL FAN

Takaichi took office last week and leads a right-wing coalition. Trump already congratulated the new prime minister on becoming Japan’s first female top leader.

Takaichi is expected to tout Japan’s efforts to increase defense spending, which long sat at 1% of GDP — a figure analysts say falls well short of what the U.S. is pushing for from its allies.

During the meeting with Trump, Takaichi is expected to face pressure to raise defense spending even further to match NATO’s 5% target.

Takaichi has expressed concern about Japan’s reliance on the U.S., but signaled intentions to work closely with Trump. She took office on a recent populist wave in Japan similar to the MAGA movement.

Trump’s suggestion that Japan should pay for U.S. troops in the region has spooked some Japanese officials. Around 60,000 U.S. military personnel are stationed in Japan, making it the largest foreign host of U.S. forces.

Adding to those concerns, a trade framework in July placed a 15% tariff on imported Japanese goods, with higher rates for steel, aluminum and auto parts.

Despite these challenges, both sides are expected to use this week’s meetings to reaffirm what Trump has called "the most important partnership in Asia," setting the stage for his critical summit with Xi later this week.

Suspect with lengthy rap sheet arrested for alleged Pam Bondi 'murder-for-hire' scheme: FBI

A Minnesota man with a history of violent offenses is facing federal charges after allegedly posting a TikTok video that offered a $45,000 bounty for the killing of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, prompting an FBI investigation that spanned two states.

According to a newly filed affidavit obtained by Fox News Digital, Tyler Maxon Avalos posted an image of Bondi with a red sniper-scope dot on her forehead and the caption "WANTED: Pam Bondi — REWARD: $45,000 — DEAD OR ALIVE (Preferably Dead)."

Underneath the photo, Avalos allegedly wrote: "Cough cough. When they don’t serve us, then what?"

The post, which was flagged by another TikTok user in Detroit, triggered a federal probe that led agents to a St. Paul apartment building, where they arrested Avalos on Thursday.

Digital records obtained from TikTok, Google and Comcast allegedly tied the account "@liminalvoidslip" to Avalos, who agents say has a prior history of stalking and domestic violence.

Court records cited in the FBI affidavit show that Avalos, who was born in 1995, has a history of violent offenses in both Minnesota and Florida.

In July 2022, Avalos was convicted of felony stalking in Dakota County, Minnesota, after repeatedly contacting and harassing a victim in violation of state law.

ALLEGED GANG LEADER OFFERED BOUNTY TO KILL IMMIGRATION OFFICER, FEDERAL OFFICIALS SAY

Before that, in August 2016, the affidavit said he was convicted of third-degree felony domestic battery in Polk County, Florida, stemming from an assault on a household or family member.

Earlier that same year, in April 2016, Avalos was charged with felony domestic assault by strangulation in Dakota County, but ultimately convicted of a misdemeanor domestic assault after the charge was reduced.

READ THE AFFIDAVIT – APP USERS, CLICK HERE:

The FBI affidavit said agents traced the online alias through a Google-linked Samsung device, IP logs and subscriber data, ultimately locating Avalos’ residence and confirming his name on the apartment mailbox.

His TikTok account, investigators noted, also featured anarchist symbols and links to anti-government literature.

His profile also brandished a link to "An Anarchist FAQ book," according to court filings.

Investigators allege the viral "murder-for-hire" threat was not a joke or political hyperbole, but a deliberate and interstate communication of violence, a federal crime.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Justice Department for comment. 

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