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Thursday 19 april 2018

Trump, Abe fail to agree on U.S. tariff exemption for Japan

By ZEKE MILLER and JILL of business and pleasure.
COLVIN Trump and Abe spent
Associated Press Wednesday morning golf-
PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — ing at one of the president's
President Donald Trump nearby golf courses. On
and Japanese Prime Tuesday evening, the presi-
Minister Shinzo Abe said dent and first lady hosted
Wednesday they had Abe and his wife at an in-
failed to reach a deal that timate al fresco dinner on
would exempt Japan from Mar-a-Lago's patio. And
new U.S. steel and alumi- the group reconvened for
num tariffs, as Abe had a second, larger dinner
wanted. Wednesday evening.
Instead, the leaders an- Despite their disagree-
nounced they had agreed ments, officials from both
to start talks on a new "free, countries insist the personal
fair and reciprocal" trade relationship that Trump and
agreement between the Abe share has never been
two countries following two stronger. The leaders have
days of talks. bonded over "golf diplo-
"If we can come to an ar- macy" in both the U.S. and
rangement on a new deal, Japan, and U.S. officials
that would certainly be note that Trump has met
something we would dis- with Abe more than any
cuss," Trump said when President Donald Trump gestures during a news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo other foreign leader.
asked about the tariffs Abe at Trump's private Mar-a-Lago club, Wednesday, April 18, 2018, in Palm Beach, Fla. During the trip, Abe praised
during a joint press confer- Associated Press Trump for his courage in
ence at his private Mar-a- agreeing to meet with Kim
Lago club. appeared to win assuranc- has demanded further in- 11-nation TPP Pacific Rim and said that Kim's willing-
But he said the current es from Trump that he and vestigation, and Abe has trade pact. ness to meet was a sign
trade deficit between the the president were on the made the issue one of his "I don't want to go back that the pressure cam-
two countries was too high same page when it comes top priorities. into TPP, but if they offered paign against the North
to merit an exemption now. to the Kim meeting. The U.S. has also been push- us a deal that I can't refuse was working.
According to the U.S. De- Perhaps the most signifi- ing for the release of three on behalf of the United But he also urged caution,
partment of Commerce, cant for Abe: Trump's prom- Americans held captive. States, I would do it," Trump saying there should be "no
the trade deficit was $56.1 ise to raise with Kim the is- CIA Director Mike Pompeo said. Still, he added, "I like reward" given to the North
billion last year. sue of Japanese citizens raised their plight during his bilateral better. I think it's just because the reclusive
It was a disappointment who have been abducted meeting earlier this month better for our country, I country is responding to di-
for Japan. Most other key by the North. with Kim, according to a think it's better for our work- alogue. He said that "maxi-
U.S. allies — among them Trump said it was clear senior White House official ers, and I much would pre- mum pressure should be
Australia, Canada, the Eu- from their discussions that who was not authorized to fer a bilateral deal, a deal maintained."
ropean Union and Mexi- the abductees were "one disclose the sensitive dis- directly with Japan." On Tuesday night, media
co — have already been of the truly most important cussions and spoke to The Trump and Abe also ap- outlets including The Asso-
granted exemptions to things on Shinzo's mind." Associated Press on condi- peared to agree to dis- ciated Press reported that
Trump's protectionist mea- Trump said he wanted to tion of anonymity. agree on the issue of steel Pompeo recently traveled
sures. And Japan has pre- see the "families reunited Trump expressed optimism and aluminum imports. Abe in secret to North Korea
viously voiced reluctance as soon as possible." Wednesday, saying that argued during the press to meet with Kim ahead
to negotiating a bilateral Pyongyang has acknowl- officials had been working conference that Japanese of a U.S.-North Korea sum-
trade deal with the U.S., edging abducting 13 Japa- "very diligently" to secure imports "would not exert mit planned in the next
saying it would prefer the nese, while Tokyo maintains the Americans' return and any negative influence" on two months. Trump con-
U.S. rejoin the Trans-Pacific North Korea abducted 17. that there was a "good the security of the United firmed the meeting in a
Partnership. Five have been returned chance" it would happen. States and said the high tweet Wednesday, saying
But Abe, whose visit comes to Japan. North Korea says But on trade, Trump made quality of Japan's steel and "a good relationship was
as Trump prepares for a his- eight others have died and clear he would prefer a bi- aluminum products would formed" heading into his
toric summit with North Ko- denies the remaining four lateral trade deal with Ja- be difficult to replace. anticipated summit with
rean leader Kim Jong Un, entered its territory. Japan pan instead of rejoining the The visit included a mix Kim.q