President Trump welcomed Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the White House on April 26 for a two-day summit on trade and bilateral relations.
The talks between Trump and Abe focused on deepening the global partnership between the U.S. and Japan, according to the two leaders.
Trump has described the U.S.-Japan alliance as a cornerstone of peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world. The economies of the U.S. and Japan account for approximately 30% of global gross domestic product (GDP), so the two allies’ deep ties foster growth and stability well beyond their own borders.
In remarks before the start of their bilateral talks, Abe congratulated Trump on the United States’ robust GDP growth of 3.2% in the first quarter of 2019, and both leaders noted that the U.S. does a lot of business with Japan.
“The bond between Japan and the United States … will remain unwavering,” Abe told Trump.
On the security front, the United States and Japan are strongly committed to promoting the denuclearization of North Korea, with Trump and Abe consulting frequently on how to achieve that goal.
Abe also mentioned that he will host the G20 Osaka Summit in June, which Trump said he plans to attend.
Moreover, said Abe, Trump will be honored with the first state visit to Japan during the reign of the incoming Japanese emperor. (Japan’s Emperor Akihito relinquished the throne on April 30 and will be succeeded by his elder son, Crown Prince Naruhito, on May 1.)
Abe’s visit to Washington reflected the long-standing friendship between the U.S. and Japan, and between the two countries’ leaders. Abe and his wife attended a birthday dinner for first lady Melania Trump, and the prime minister enjoyed 18 holes of golf with the president at Trump’s private club in Sterling, Virginia.
“Mr. Prime Minister, you’re my friend and I really very much appreciate the visit,” said Trump.
