President Trump compares Iran attack to Pearl Harbor during Japan meeting
President Donald Trump compared the attack on Iran to Pearl Harbor in front of the Japanese prime minister and Japanese reporters.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi praised Barron Trump, the son of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, ahead of his birthday in remarks at a White House dinner on March 19.
“I know he has grown into a very tall, good-looking gentleman,” Takaichi said. “Looking at you, Donald, it’s very clear where he got it. His parents, of course.”
Barron Trump will celebrate his 20th birthday on March 20th. Although he mostly stayed out of the spotlight before he turned 18, he has shown an interest in his father’s politics, especially during the 2024 presidential campaign, USA TODAY Network reported.
In the rest of his remarks, Takaichi said that Japan would gift 250 more cherry blossom trees to Washington, D.C., in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. He also emphasized the relationship between the two countries, saying, “Japan is back.”
In his remarks, the president called Takaichi a “great friend and partner” and said the two had become “very close.”
The dinner concluded Takaichi’s first visit to the White House since taking office as prime minister in October. The president visited her in Japan last year and endorsed her in February’s snap election.
Pearl Harbor statement confirmed at Presidential Office meeting
During a meeting in the Oval Office, Takaichi said that the world is facing a “very severe security environment” due to the continued war against Iran by the United States and Israel, and that the global economy is “about to take a huge hit,” but that “Takaichi is the only one who can achieve global peace.”
President Trump has insisted that Japan’s aid to Iran is not needed, but it would be “appropriate” given how dependent the country is on oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The president said he did not tell other world leaders about the war-starting attack to maintain the element of surprise. He compared the attack that killed then-Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to the attack on Pearl Harbor that led to the United States’ entry into World War II.
President Trump drew laughter by saying, “I didn’t tell anyone about this because I wanted it to be a surprise.” “Who knows more about surprises than Japan? Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor?”
Takaichi remained expressionless throughout Trump’s remarks.
Contributor: Jennifer Sangalang, USA TODAY Network
