US President Donald Trump received a royal welcome in Japan on Monday; part of a five-day Asia tour he hopes to conclude with a trade truce with Chinese President Xi Jinping. On his longest trip abroad since taking office in January, Trump announced agreements with four Southeast Asian nations during his first stop in Malaysia and is set to meet Xi in South Korea on Thursday. US officials say negotiators from the world’s two largest economies reached a framework on Sunday to pause escalating American tariffs and Chinese rare earth export controls, news that sent Asian stocks to record highs. Trump also becomes the first foreign leader to meet Emperor Naruhito since he ascended the throne in 2019, continuing what is considered the world’s oldest hereditary monarchy.
