Trump and Japanese leader trade praise and vow to strengthen alliance

• NOW: US President Donald Trump is addressing US troops stationed in Japan alongside the country’s new conservative prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, on the second leg of his Asia tour.

• Rare earths cooperation: Earlier today, the leaders signed a framework on securing the supply of critical minerals and rare earths. China has a near-monopoly on global rare-earth supplies, which Beijing has weaponized in its trade war with the US. Washington has been trying to cut deals with other nations to break the supply stranglehold.

• Shutdown stalemate: Back in the US, there are still no signs of a breakthrough on the government shutdown. Speaker Mike Johnson fiercely defended keeping the House out of session on Monday, contending GOP lawmakers were accomplishing critical work in their districts.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told US troops aboard the USS George Washington at the Yokosuka Naval Base that the region faces an “unprecedented security environment” and that Japan and the US would “join hands to ensure peace and security in this region.”

“Peace cannot be preserved by words alone. It can be protected only when there is an unwavering determination and action,” Takaichi said Tuesday, standing alongside President Donald Trump.