Trump "U.S.-Japan trade agreement fair"…Takaichi "Impressed by commitment to peace"

U.S. President Donald Trump and Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, on an Asian tour, are holding a summit at the State Guest House in Motoakasaka, Tokyo on the 28th.

According to Kyodo and Reuters, President Trump said in his opening remarks, "We (the United States and Japan) are allies at the highest level," and "U.S.-Japan relations will become stronger than ever."

He added, "The U.S.-Japan trade agreement is a very fair agreement," and "We will sign a new agreement."

Prime Minister Takaichi responded, "(The U.S.-Japan alliance) will become the greatest alliance in the world." She emphasized, "We will together open a new golden age of the U.S.-Japan alliance to make Japan and the United States more prosperous."

Prime Minister Takaichi said she plans to nominate President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. She mentioned the ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia mediated by President Trump and the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas in the Middle East. She then praised, "In a short period, the world has become more peaceful," saying, "I highly evaluate President Trump's firm commitment to world peace and stability, and I myself was deeply impressed."

The two leaders reaffirmed their policy to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance at this meeting and are broadly discussing regional situations such as North Korea and China and international issues. An increase in Japan's defense spending (defense budget) and measures to implement $550 billion in investment to the United States (approximately 787 trillion won) are expected to be key agenda items.

A senior U.S. government official told reporters that President Trump and Prime Minister Takaichi are expected to sign documents demonstrating U.S.-Japan cooperation.

After the leaders had lunch together following the meeting, in the afternoon they are expected to take 'Marine One,' the U.S. president's helicopter, to the Yokosuka U.S. Naval Base and board together the U.S. nuclear aircraft carrier USS George Washington.

Hankyung.com reporter Han Kyung-woo case@hankyung.com