U.S. President Donald Trump brought his signature rally style to the Pacific on Tuesday, speaking aboard the USS George Washington near Tokyo. Addressing approximately 6,000 U.S. service members and over 200 personnel from Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, Trump framed his trade agenda as part of a broader mission to keep American forces out of unnecessary conflicts.

“Peace Through Strength”

Instead of his usual “Make America Great Again” banner, the carrier featured a “Peace Through Strength” sign. Wearing a white “USA” cap, Trump entered the hangar to the anthem God Bless America and engaged in nearly an hour-long dialogue with the assembled troops.

He emphasized that his administration’s trade policies prevented many conflicts, telling sailors, “People want to involve you, but we stopped most of these trade-based wars. They’re preparing to fight, and we tell them: ‘No more trade with the U.S.’”

Trump addressed troops for approximately an hour from the aircraft carrier anchored south of Tokyo, praising Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and saying that the military is no longer “politically correct.”
“I will tell you how great our country is and how well we are doing, because a year and a half ago we had a very different country. Now we are the most respected nation in the world,” he said.

At the aircraft carrier docked at Yokosuka Naval Base, Trump also invited Japan’s new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi — the country’s first female head of government — to the podium and praised her for her achievements.

Military and Economic Announcements

Trump also highlighted economic and defense developments. He said Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi informed him that Toyota plans to invest $10 billion in U.S. factories. He added that Japan’s first batch of missiles for F-35 jets would be delivered this week.

Takaichi, speaking briefly, referenced Trump’s 2019 visit to Yokosuka with former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, emphasizing continued collaboration to keep the Indo-Pacific free and prosperous.

Rally-Style Engagement

Trump actively engaged the audience, addressing groups according to their roles: “white shirts” maintaining security, “blue shirts” operating equipment, and “yellow shirts” managing aircraft. He even asked which catapult system sailors preferred for launching planes — steam or electric. The crowd roared “Steam!” and Trump agreed, criticizing billions spent on “stupid electric carriers” and promising a future executive order to mandate steam and hydraulic systems for U.S. carriers.

Targeting Biden

Trump also criticized Former President Joe Biden, claiming, “Biden said he was a pilot. He was a truck driver. Whoever got in was him.” Though Biden has referred to an aviator uncle, Trump insisted, “He wasn’t a pilot. Not much of a president either.” His remarks received muted reactions from the assembled troops.