President Trump will be leaving Japan today, ending the first leg of his trip throughout Asia. Trump called for a military build up, citing the advancing threat posed by North Korea.
North Korean Threat
Trump specifically called for Japan to purchase anti-missile systems from the U.S. “He will shoot them out of the sky when he completes the purchase of a lot of military equipment from the United States,” said Trump.
Japanese Prime Minister Abe said that the two allies are in “100%” agreement that all options are on the table when dealing with North Korea. Abe confirmed that Japan will purchasing more military equipment from the United States. “In that process we will be buying more from the U.S., that is what I am thinking,” the Japanese president said. President Trump added that “it’s a lot of jobs for us and a lot of safety for Japan.”
Both U.S. and Japanese naval ships are equipped with anti-missile defense systems. Japan is open to moving more of these systems to its shores. North Korea has conducted missile launches over Japan recently.
Trade
President Trump and Prime Minister Abe also discussed trade relations in the Pacific. Trump frequently speaks about the trade deficits the U.S. has with various countries. Japan is not excluded considering it loses $69 billion a year to Japan in trade.
