Japan PM says 'great confidence' in Trump as leader
[TOKYO] Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday said his meeting with Donald Trump - the first by a foreign leader - convinced him the US president-elect was someone "in whom I can have great confidence".
"We were able to have a very candid talk over a substantial amount of time. We held it in a very warm atmosphere," Mr Abe told reporters after their meeting at the billionaire's Manhattan skyscraper.
"As an outcome of today's discussions, I am convinced Mr Trump is a leader in whom I can have great confidence."
The Japanese leader gave few details of the meeting but added the two agreed to meet again for deeper talks on a wider range of issues.
Japan is one of Washington's closest allies but Mr Trump alarmed Tokyo policymakers during the campaign by musing about pulling the thousands of US troops from the region and suggesting that officially pacifist Japan may need nuclear weapons.
Mr Trump also vowed during the election to tear up the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a proposed vast trade pact backed by outgoing President Barack Obama and which Mr Abe had made a top priority.
AFP
KEYWORDS IN THIS ARTICLE
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
International
US births retreat after pandemic-era growth
Markets are embracing India's Modi for what he won’t do
Blinken to meet businesses in Shanghai as he kicks off a tough China trip
Indonesia’s central bank surprises with ‘pre-emptive’ rate hike to cushion falling rupiah
South Korea’s economic growth beats forecast as exports rise
China 2024 growth outlook raised to 4.8%, deflation risk lingers