Trump has withdrawn the U.S. from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. He instead indicates that he wants the U.S. to sign its own bilateral trade agreements with Asian countries. The President’s trade message for Japan was clearly that he wants the country to buy more American goods: cars, military equipment, and planes.
Trump lauded the Japanese economy, but stopped short saying “I don’t know if it’s as good as ours.” “I think not. OK? We’re going to try to keep it that way. And you’ll be second,” said Trump.
South Korea Next
Trump’s next stop is South Korea, right next door to Kim Jong Un and the North. Again, trade and North Korea’s threat will dominate discussions with South Korean leader Moon Jae-in. Moon was electin on a platform of taking a softer approach to the North, but that has hardened in recent months. Trump and Moon will hold a joint news conference on Tuesday.
