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Live updates: Japan’s Takaichi visits Trump, with energy, trade on agenda; Hegseth blasts Europe, media

What happened

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited President harbor-during-japan-pm-meeting.html" class="story-link" title="Watch: Trump compares attack on Iran to Pearl Harbor in meeting with Japanese PM">Trump at the White House as tensions escalate over the Strait of Hormuz. The meeting comes after Japan joined several European nations in indicating willingness to help with reopening the strategic waterway. Trump has been asking U.S. allies to send ships to patrol the strait amid broader Middle East tensions.

Why people care

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, making any disruption economically significant worldwide. harbor-during-japan-pm-meeting.html" class="story-link" title="Watch: Trump compares attack on Iran to Pearl Harbor in meeting with Japanese PM">Trump's requests for allied naval support represent a test of traditional alliance structures and commitments in a volatile region.

The takes

U.S. position

The Trump administration is seeking concrete support from allies to maintain freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Officials emphasize that Japan and other allies should "step up" to help secure this vital shipping lane that affects global energy markets.

Allied concerns

U.S. allies face complex legal and political constraints when committing military assets to Middle East operations. Many are weighing their treaty obligations against domestic political concerns and the risk of escalating regional tensions.

Sources