Abe voices 'trust' in Trump, vows to defend TPP

Japanese PM to pursue the US president's understanding on the strategic and economic importance of the TPP

Published Mon, Jan 23, 2017 · 09:50 PM

Tokyo

NEWLY-installed US president Donald Trump understands the importance of free trade, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe suggested on Monday as he pledged to continue pressing the US leader to ratify the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.

Mr Abe also reiterated that the new US president is someone whom he can "trust" - contrasting with critical assessments of Mr Trump made by other key international figures in the wake of last Friday's presidential inauguration ceremony.

"I believe President Trump understands the importance of free and fair trade, so I would like to pursue his understanding on the strategic and economic importance of the TPP," Mr Abe was reported as telling Japan's lower house of parlia…

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