Trump Takes His Trade Fight to the High Seas – Literally on an Aircraft Carrier

YOKOSUKA, Japan – President Donald Trump brought his trademark rally style to the deck of an American warship on Tuesday, addressing thousands of U.S. service members aboard the USS George Washington, an aircraft carrier docked at Yokosuka Naval Base near Tokyo.

Unlike his usual campaign backdrops, the familiar “Make America Great Again” banner was replaced with one reading “Peace Through Strength.” Instead of swing-state voters, his audience included more than 6,000 U.S. troops and over 200 members of Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Wearing a white “USA” hat, Trump strode into the hangar bay to “God Bless the USA” and delivered a 53-minute speech that mixed policy updates, humor, and his familiar bravado. He tied his administration’s trade policy to his broader mission of keeping American forces out of foreign wars, arguing that strong trade leverage could prevent conflicts before they start.

He announced that Japanese automaker Toyota plans to invest $10 billion in new U.S. manufacturing plants, citing his discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Trump also said that the first batch of missiles for Japan’s F-35 fighter jets would be delivered this week.

Prime Minister Takaichi, who spoke before Trump, recalled his 2019 visit to Yokosuka alongside the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and emphasized the two nations’ shared goal of maintaining peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region.

Throughout his speech, Trump engaged directly with the sailors, calling out groups by their roles — from the “white shirts” responsible for safety to the “yellow shirts” who guide aircraft — drawing enthusiastic cheers from across the hangar. When he asked whether steam or electric catapults were better for launching aircraft, the crowd overwhelmingly shouted “steam,” prompting Trump to joke that the United States was wasting billions on “stupid electric ones.” He pledged to require future carriers to use traditional steam catapults and hydraulic elevators.

The president also took a swipe at his predecessor, saying that Joe Biden had exaggerated his past experiences and adding that he was “not much of a president.” While the remarks drew a mixed response, they reflected Trump’s familiar blend of showmanship and political edge.

The event highlighted Trump’s effort to merge his trade and defense messages into a single theme of “Peace Through Strength.” His appearance aboard the USS George Washington underscored his intent to link America’s economic influence with its military presence in the Indo-Pacific, sending a signal of unity with Japan and resolve to the broader region.

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