President Donald Trump met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the White House on Friday, focusing on trade relations and security cooperation while making several significant policy announcements.

During their first face-to-face meeting, the two leaders held a joint news conference where they discussed strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance, trade deficits, and regional security concerns. Ishiba, who took office in October 2024, spent over two hours with Trump in what marked the second world leader visit to the White House during Trump's new term.

On television, he is frightening, but he was actually very sincere, the prime minister said about Trump, noting he was excited to meet the television celebrity.

A major focus of their discussions centered on trade relations, with Trump indicating he plans to announce reciprocal tariffs on trading partners next week. The president expressed his desire to work with Japan on reducing the U.S. trade deficit, which currently stands at approximately $68 billion.

In a significant development regarding U.S.-Japan business relations, Trump suggested that Nippon Steel would no longer pursue its planned acquisition of US Steel, but would instead make an investment in the company. The president stated he would meet with Nippon Steel's leadership next week to mediate the details.

The visit highlighted Japan's importance as an economic partner, with Japanese companies employing nearly one million Americans and maintaining the top position for foreign direct investment in the U.S. over the past five years.

The meeting also touched on international security matters, with Trump indicating potential diplomatic engagement with North Korea, citing his previous meetings with Kim Jong Un as an asset that prevented conflict. Ishiba supported this view, describing Trump's past meetings with Kim in Singapore and Vietnam as positive developments.