Trump unveils critical minerals, 2 other investment projects with Japan

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump's administration said Tuesday that Japan will finance the production of synthetic diamonds and two energy projects worth about $36 billion as the initial tranche of investments under a deal reached last year following months of tariff negotiations.

Trump's announcement that the three projects had been selected, as part of a $550 billion package that Japan committed to in exchange for his administration reducing tariffs on Japanese cars and other goods, was confirmed hours later by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

"These projects are so large, and could not be done without one very special word, TARIFFS," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "America is building again. America is producing again. And America is WINNING again."

He called it a historic time for the United States and Japan. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the two countries will build the largest-ever natural gas infrastructure in Ohio, expected to produce 9.2 gigawatts of power.

The U.S. Commerce Department said it will be operated by SB Energy, a subsidiary of Japanese investment and technology company SoftBank Group Corp.

Japanese officials and the U.S. department said they will construct a deepwater crude oil export terminal in Texas and a synthetic industrial diamond manufacturing facility in Georgia.

The department said Sentinel Midstream will operate the terminal, which is likely to generate $20 billion to $30 billion in U.S. crude oil exports annually, and Element Six, part of De Beers Group, will run the diamond grit facility.

Takaichi said on social media that the gas infrastructure will power artificial intelligence data centers, and the production of synthetic diamonds used in the semiconductor, auto and aviation industries is aimed at reducing the two countries' overreliance on a specific country, without naming China.

"Going forward, Japan and the United States will continue working closely to further coordinate the details for implementing each project, ensuring their early and smooth execution," Takaichi said in an X post.

Under a trade deal struck in July last year, Japan has committed to investing $550 billion in the United States by the end of Trump's second term in January 2029.

Japan's commitment comprises investments, loans and loan guarantees from Japanese government-backed financial institutions.

Japan's industry minister Ryosei Akazawa told reporters in Tokyo that about $33.3 billion will be invested in the gas infrastructure, with Japanese companies such as Hitachi Ltd, Mitsubishi Electric Corp and Toshiba Corp. interested in participating in the project.

The project to increase U.S. crude oil exports is valued at $2.1 billion and the production of synthetic diamonds is worth $600 million, according to Akazawa, who mentioned Japanese firms such as Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd, Nippon Steel Corp and Asahi Diamond Industrial Co in connection with these initiatives.

Last week, Akazawa and Lutnick agreed in Washington to speed up the selection process for the first round of investments, as the two countries prepare for Takaichi's visit to the United States next month.

Japan and the United States have said that the investments will focus on strategic sectors, such as critical minerals, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and energy, to advance their national security interests and economic objectives.

The memorandum of understanding between Japan and the United States, signed by Akazawa and Lutnick in September last year, stipulates that Trump will ultimately choose projects recommended by an "investment committee" chaired by the commerce secretary and composed solely of U.S. officials.

Earlier in the process, a so-called consultation committee -- comprising officials from the two countries -- is tasked with identifying potential investment projects.

The United States will forward investment projects that gain Trump's endorsement to Japan for review, with Tokyo given 45 days to respond and transfer the necessary funds to Washington.

Takaichi, who took office in October, is scheduled to meet with Trump at the White House on March 19, and the two leaders are expected to celebrate the launch of the investment projects.

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