During his trip to Japan this week, President Donald Trump was noted for making two significant ‘protocol’ mistakes.
Recently, President Trump, at age 79, had a meeting with Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s newly elected prime minister, who has assumed office just a week ago.
Japan marked the second country on Trump’s week-long journey across Asia. He has now left Japan for South Korea, where he is scheduled to hold discussions with Chinese leader Xi Jinping tomorrow.
Previously, on October 26, Trump was in Malaysia for the annual meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Upon Trump’s arrival in Kuala Lumpur for the events, a video went viral as he was seen stepping off Air Force One and performing a dance move, capturing much attention on social media.
Now, footage from his visit to Japan is also creating quite a buzz online.
During a welcome ceremony in Tokyo, where Prime Minister Takaichi provided a tour, Trump appeared to suddenly veer off course in a widely circulated online video.
The footage shows President Trump seemingly straying from the Japanese prime minister and heading in a different direction amidst a room filled with dignitaries.
Observers also pointed out that he was seen saluting inappropriately at various times during the occasion.
A user on Twitter expressed: “What a confusing display. Trump seems bewildered, saluting at the wrong times, and required guidance from Japan’s PM to walk in the right direction.
“Does he even realize where he is?”
Another onlooker noted: “Trump appears lost, saluting incorrectly, and needed the PM of Japan to direct him correctly.”
A third observer remarked: “Trump is wandering without purpose and salutes at odd moments for no clear reason.”
In response to the visit, Japan pledged to send fireworks from Akita Prefecture for the United States’ July 4th celebrations and donate 250 cherry trees to Washington, DC, in honor of America’s 250th anniversary in the coming year.
President Trump acknowledged Japan’s historic step with Prime Minister Takaichi as the first female prime minister, remarking: “This is a significant achievement. We’re here to support Japan in any way we can. Our alliance is among the strongest.”
