Car giant pledges $10B toward new plants in US: ‘Go out and buy a Toyota,’ Trump says
Trump spoke to sailors after meetings earlier in the day with Takaichi. REUTERS
TOKYO — President Trump told sailors aboard the USS George Washington in Tokyo Bay that Toyota has pledged $10 billion for new U.S. manufacturing plants, and urged Americans to “go out and buy a Toyota.” The comments came during a wide-ranging address on Tuesday in which he highlighted trade, security and his use of military force against transnational crime.
Trump said Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had informed him of the investment, and he praised her earlier suggestion that Japan consider purchasing Ford F-150 trucks for official use. He invited Takaichi to speak from the lectern during the event and put an arm around her as she joined him.
The speech mixed foreign-policy themes with domestic priorities. Trump described deployments of U.S. forces — including troops at the southern border and National Guard units in some cities — as tools to combat illegal immigration and violent crime, and he repeated threats to send additional forces to troubled municipalities if needed.
He also discussed recent military action against vessels he described as drug-smuggling boats off the coasts of South America, saying the strikes were part of a campaign to disrupt cartels and stem the flow of drugs into the United States.
Turning to American politics, Trump mocked his predecessor in blunt terms and contrasted his own approach to leadership with what he called a lack of respect for the United States in earlier years. He joked that his bluntness might hurt his chances for a Nobel Peace Prize after Takaichi reportedly nominated him.
Closing with a show of military resolve, Trump praised U.S. equipment and told the assembled sailors the American military stands ready to deter threats — a message that drew enthusiastic applause aboard the carrier.
About Post Author
