Trump rallies US military's might, floats armed forces pay raise in address to troops in Japan

By Fox News · Fox News

President Donald Trump spoke to U.S. service members aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington in Yokosuka, Japan, Tuesday morning to promote his administration's "peace through strength" military messaging on the world stage. "A year and a half ago, we had a different country than we do right now," Trump told the military members. "Now we're the most respected country in the world, we're the hottest country anywhere in the world. And it hasn't taken too long. But, I had no doubt. I just didn't know we were going to do it this fast. We've done it fast because of people like you." Trump is in the midst of a whirlwind tour through Asia, including beginning his trip in Malaysia, before heading to Japan and later holding a planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his final stop in South Korea Thursday. The president also oversaw the signing of a peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand Sunday. Trump's tour this week focuses on trade and regional security, and comes as China asserts greater control in the South China Sea and North Korea increases its weapons testing. TRUMP COURTS JAPAN'S EMPEROR AND NEW PM BEFORE HIGH-STAKES XI SUMMIT THIS WEEK Trump was joined by Japan's newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi aboard the U.S. aircraft carrier Tuesday, as well as by U.S. military leaders such as Secretary of War Pete Hegseth . Trump celebrated in his remarks that the U.S. military is once again respected after bucking "political correctness" out of an effort to better defend the U.S. "When it comes to defending the United States, we're no longer politically correct," Trump said. "We're going to defend our country any way we have to. And that's usually not the politically, politically correct way. From now on, if we're in a war, we're going to win the war. We're going to win it like nobody ever before." The service members were heard chanting "Trump, Trump, Trump" when the president first took the stage. Trump thanked the mili…