Press. voanews.com
U.S. President
Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe mixed business with
pleasure Saturday on the second day of the multiday summit between the two
leaders. A day after Trump declared at the White House an alliance between the
two countries is a cornerstone of peace in East Asia, Trump and Abe played golf
Saturday at Trump National Golf Course near his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm
Beach, Florida.
Abe and Trump
had more discussions Saturday over meals at various Trump properties in
Florida. Moments before the presidential motorcade arrived at the golf course,
it crossed an intersection with a couple dozen protesters carrying signs, some
of which said “Stop Hate and “Resist.” Before
departing for Florida Friday afternoon, the two leaders began talks at the
White House that provided them with opportunities to reinforce a
long-established security treaty and bolster their economic relationship.
On trade
Abe said he and
Trump reached agreement on a new framework for economic talks, and the
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal would be among the topics of
discussion. Trump said any trading relationship between the two countries must
be “free, fair and reciprocal.” Japan has been concerned about the impact that
Trump’s decision to withdraw from the TPP trade agreement, and his “America
First” strategy, would have on Asia.
Abe expressed
hope of developing a joint economic stimulus package that could create
thousands of U.S. jobs through private and public investments in
infrastructure. Trump has spent more time with Abe than any other foreign
leader since becoming president January 20. The meeting with Abe is Trump’s
second face-to-face meeting with a key ally after hosting British Prime
Minister Theresa May in Washington two weeks ago. The weekend excursion is
Trump’s first use of his Mar-a-Lago resort to entertain an international
leader.
The Trump
administration set a positive tone for the weekend summit by saying before
Abe’s arrival at the White House that Trump is committed to resisting any
unilateral declarations that would threaten Japan’s authority over disputed
islands in the East China Sea.
At their Friday
news conference, Trump reaffirmed that commitment, as well as one ensuring
safety in the region. “We will work together to promote our shared interests
... including freedom of navigation and defending against the North Korean
missile and nuclear threat, both of which I consider a very, very high
priority,” he said.
Japan’s concerns
about Trump’s campaign promise to get Japan and other U.S. allies to pay more
for their own defense were allayed somewhat by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis
during a visit last week to Japan and South Korea.
Trump’s meeting
with Japan’s prime minister occurs as the new U.S. administration appears to be
adopting a more traditional U.S. policy toward Asia that features consolidating
alliances and collaboration with China.
Late Thursday,
Trump reaffirmed America’s long-standing “One China” policy in a telephone call
with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Late Friday, Trump and Abe had dinner with
their wives on an outdoor patio at Mar-a-Lago. They were joined by Robert
Kraft, the owner of the National Football League’s New England Patriots, which
won the Super Bowl last Sunday.
Trump and Abe
are scheduled to leave Florida Sunday.
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