Trump, Abe agree to cement U.S.-Japan economic ties, security alliance

Turning now to the United States... where U.S. President Donald Trump offered a warm
welcome to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Trump pledged that Washington will work for closer security and economic cooperation with
one of its closest allies in Northeast Asia.
He also said that countering North Korea was a top priority of his administration.
Lee Unshin reports.
The two-day U.S.-Japan summit kicked off with a firm and friendly handshake in the Oval
Office.
"Thank you everybody, strong hands... thank you."
President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe discussed cementing their countries'
alliance, with the focus on maintaining regional peace and boosting their economic partnership.
On North Korea's nuclear threats, Trump and Abe agreed to work together to bolster their
defensive capabilities.
At a joint press conference following their talks, President Trump said his administration
was committed to being an "active and fully engaged partner" with Japan to counter the
threats posed by Pyongyang.
"We will work together to promote our shared interests, of which we have many in the region,
including freedom from navigation and of navigation, and defending against the North Korean missile
and nuclear threat - both of which I consider a very, very high priority."
Abe said the two countries confirmed their stance on the East China Sea and the South
China Sea to ensure freedom of navigation.
Referring to Trump's commitment to bring jobs back to the United States,... Abe expressed
his hope to build a hopeful economic partnership in the future.
"With President Trump in the leadership, I am sure there are major scale infrastructure
investments that will be made including the fast speed train...Japan, with our high level
of technical capability, we will be able to contribute to President Trump's growth strategy."
Reports say the specifics of their bilateral economic relations, such as much debated currency
issues, or the countries' trade ties after President Trump withdrew the United States
from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, were not on the table.
The two leaders are now at Trump's resort in Florida to continue their discussions over
the weekend.
Abe was the first foreign leader to meet with Trump in New York shortly after he won the
presidential election in November.
Lee Unshin, Arirang News.

Trump, Abe agree to cement U.S.-Japan economic ties, security alliance

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