President Trump weighs in on the potential for ground troops in Iran and the $200 billion his administration is seeking from Congress to pay for the war in Iran.
STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
President Trump met Thursday with an ally whose help he wants in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
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PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I expect Japan to step up because, you know, we have that kind of relationship, and we step up with Japan.
LEILA FADEL, HOST:
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sat with Trump at the White House. She also joined five other U.S. allies, including the U.K. and France, in a statement supporting a coalition to reopen the strait, but they did not commit to sending military aid. During the Oval Office meeting, Trump was also asked about the $200 billion the Pentagon is reportedly asking for to help pay for the war.
INSKEEP: NPR’s Franco Ordoñez is here. Franco, good morning.
FRANCO ORDOÑEZ, BYLINE: Good morning, Steve.
INSKEEP: OK. Could Japan turn into an ally, a player in the Middle East?
ORDOÑEZ: Yeah. I mean, they definitely could. I mean, one reason is that Trump just has so much leverage with Japan because of how much oil it receives from the Middle East. Trump pointed out that as much as 90% comes through the strait. But also, clearly, the prime minister wants to remain friendly with Trump for a lot of reasons. And she was very careful, speaking through an interpreter yesterday, to acknowledge Trump’s power globally.
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PRIME MINISTER SANAE TAKAICHI: (Through interpreter) But even against that backdrop, I firmly believe that it is only you, Donald, who can achieve peace across the world.
INSKEEP: Franco, I’ll just note, she even kept her composure when Trump brought up Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor in World War II. He was, at the time, defending the U.S. surprise attack against Iran by saying Japan did the same thing in 1941. Let’s listen.
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TRUMP: Who knows better about surprise than Japan?
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TRUMP: OK. Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor? OK.
INSKEEP: You were watching, Franco. She maybe flinched a little bit, but had nothing to say about that. With that said, she also did not promise military support.
ORDOÑEZ: Yeah. I mean, that’s right. I mean, look, the two are clearly friendly, but she does have some constraints constitutionally, but she’s also moved to increase Japan’s defense spending. Alexander Gray, who served as chief of staff at the National Security Council in the first Trump administration – he’s now at the Atlantic Council – he told me that Japan is the U.S.’ most important ally because of where they sit, that they’re linked by the biggest threat that they both face, which, of course, is China.
ALEXANDER GRAY: I think when you watch the discussion about Iran or you watch the discussion about other global flashpoints in the context of the U.S.-Japan alliance, you have to think about it in that larger context of a competition with China.
ORDOÑEZ: And I’ll just add that I met with Japanese officials last night who echoed this point about keeping relations strong.
INSKEEP: Franco, the other story here, the president spoke openly now about asking Congress for $200 billion to finance the war.
ORDOÑEZ: Yeah. That’s a really big ask, and it’s going to be a real test for lawmakers. It’s midterm season. And while Trump did not ask Congress for authorization to go to war, this debate will essentially be that.
INSKEEP: And what are the political implications here, very briefly?
ORDOÑEZ: They’re going to be big. There’s so much uncertainty. But really, there’s also the question about the nuclear capabilities, you know, what’s going to happen. If he can get rid of the nuclear program, that’s going to be a big deal, but if it drags on, that’s going to be a real challenge for Republicans.
INSKEEP: NPR White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez. Thanks.
ORDOÑEZ: Thank you.
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