Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed optimism on Sunday that his country could avoid higher U.S. tariffs, saying President Donald Trump had "recognised" Japan's huge investment in the U.S.

When Donald Trump's fortunes took a downturn in the 90s and he needed to raise cash fast, he sailed his 282ft (85m) superyacht, the Trump Princess, to Asia hoping he could attract Japan's wealthy. It wasn't the first time the businessman had sought out Japanese buyers or lenders for his projects.

During a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, President Donald Trump praised billionaire Elon Musk — the head of the U.S. DOGE Service — for “finding tremendous fraud and corruption and waste” within the federal government.