International

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and U.S. President Donald Trump began talks in Tokyo on Monday in which they are set to affirm the strength of their bilateral alliance in the face of the threat from North Korea.
     In the summit during Trump's first trip to Asia since his inauguration in January, Abe is likely to seek the U.S. leader's endorsement of Japan's stance that the maximum possible pressure, not direct dialogue, is necessary to convince North Korea to give up its development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.
     "I look forward to discussing international affairs, economic issues and bilateral relations (with you)," Abe said at the outset of the talks, open to the press, at the plush Akasaka Palace state guesthouse following a working lunch.
     Trump appeared eager to put bilateral trade high on the agenda, despite a history of differences between his administration and Abe's on how Japan-U.S. trade ties should be managed.
     "We are making tremendous progress I believe on trade in particular, bringing the deficits down and having a very fair and equal trade (relationship), and I look forward to finishing up the discussions," Trump said.