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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 met with President Trump at the White House as the U.S. seeks allied support for naval operations in the Strait of Hormuz. Takaichi is the first allied leader to visit since Trump's request for ships to patrol the strategic waterway. The meeting comes amid ongoing military operations in the Middle East and tensions over burden-sharing with allies.

Why people care

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, making international cooperation essential for keeping it open. Trump's request puts Japan and other allies in a difficult position between supporting the U.S. and avoiding deeper involvement in Middle East conflicts.

The takes

U.S. officials say

Allied support is crucial for securing one of the world's most important shipping lanes and ensuring global energy security. Japan and other partners have benefited from U.S. security guarantees and should contribute to collective defense efforts when called upon.

Allies say

Being asked to deploy military assets to the Middle East creates complex legal and political challenges at home. Many allied nations prefer diplomatic solutions and worry about escalating regional tensions through increased military presence.

Sources

Chaos Timeline

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