Thank you for your post. That explains a lot.
It was from the heart.
As I was watching her, with Trump... I couldn't help but notice her name: Takaichi.
That is the same surname of one of my favorites. The man who was the President of our Japanese affiliate when I first went there. I admired him.
He was 20 years my elder. When he was a young salesman, he achieved 100% market share in Japan, and they made him President. I always joked with my German bosses, that when I achieved 100% market share in the US, they should make me President! I got close, but never 100%
Takaishi-san was a gentleman. A good golfer, and a fine baritone when singing karaoke. He was such a mentor to me.
Japan is no equal to the US. We have MANY advantages over them. But they are loyal partners. I'd take them any day over the Europeans, who I also know... very well.