Tokyo (The Japan News) - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he received U.S. President Donald Trump’s “all-out support” for his resolution to meet face-to-face with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, during a joint press conference Monday after a summit with the U.S. leader.
“I’m determined to meet [Workers’ Party of Korea] Chairman Kim Jong Un, without setting any conditions,” to resolve the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea, Abe said at the press conference at the State Guest House in Minato Ward, Tokyo.
“President Trump told me that he extends all-out support for my resolution and is willing to offer any kind of assistance.”
During their talks at the State Guest House, Abe and Trump spent much of the time in “meticulously” coordinating their countries’ policies based on the recent developments surrounding North Korea, Abe said.
The prime minister emphasized the strong bilateral alliance, saying, “The Japanese and U.S. stances align completely with each other.”
Afterward, Abe accompanied Trump to a meeting with family members of the abductees. Trump also met abductees’ family during his first visit to Japan as U.S. president two years ago.
“The United States also remains committed to the issue of abductions, which I know is a top priority for Prime Minister Abe,” Trump said at the press conference. “The United States will continue to support Japan’s efforts to bring these abductees home.”
When it comes to bilateral trade negotiations, Abe said he agreed with Trump that the two countries will accelerate the talks that Toshimitsu Motegi, minister for economic and fiscal policy, and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer are holding based on the joint statement reached in September.
“We agreed that we will reach a win-win agreement for both countries as soon as possible,” Abe said.
Trump said he aims “to reduce our trade deficit with Japan, remove trade barriers and barriers of all kinds, so that U.S. exports will really have a fair and very profound footing.”
“We hope to have even more to announce on the trade very, very soon,” the president added.
Trump hinted at the start of Monday’s summit that the United States and Japan will “be announcing some things, probably in August” regarding the trade negotiations.
At the press conference, however, Abe was asked about the president’s mention of a specific time, but Abe refrained from referring to it.
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