Mr. Trump and Mr. Abe shake hands at the White House

On February 10, President Donald Trump warmly welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the White House with a warm hug and words of praise.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump shake hands before their meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on February 10, 2017 - Photo: AFP

According to AFP news agency, the two leaders had lunch together at the White House before going to Mr. Trump's Mar-a-Lago villa in Florida to play golf and continue to have other exchanges on Saturday (February 11).

Mr. Abe's "golf diplomacy" method reminds people of a similar incident in which Mr. Abe's grandfather, Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, once played golf with US President Dwight Eisenhower.

However, if at that time, the main story between the two leaders was post-war reconciliation, this time, the Japanese leader is trying to build a relationship of mutual understanding with the new US president and resolve the disagreements that have been simmering for a long time.

US-Japan tensions have increased recently after Mr. Trump announced that he would review the commitments in the US security cooperation relationship with Japan and Mr. Trump signed an executive order to withdraw the US from the TPP.

In addition, the White House's consideration of plans to impose heavier tariffs on imported goods is also causing concern among Japanese manufacturing corporations.

However, with diplomatic tact and sophistication, the Japanese Prime Minister temporarily avoided questions related to the trade agreement and only gave compliments on the new US president's business talent and excellent golfing ability. Mr. Abe modestly said that he was far behind Mr. Trump in this sport.

"Very deep" relationship

It appeared that Mr. Abe's diplomatic efforts had paid off when Mr. Trump affirmed that the United States would continue to maintain long-standing defense cooperation agreements between the two countries and support "free, fair, and reciprocal" trade relations.

"We are committed to the security of Japan," Mr. Trump said. "The ties between our countries and the friendship between our peoples run deep. This administration is committed to making that relationship even stronger."

In an announcement, Mr. Trump reaffirmed that the US will support Japan in terms of national security and defense in the event that China moves to take over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, which are currently under Japanese administration but also claimed by China.

In a joint statement, the two sides said: "The two countries oppose any unilateral actions that undermine Japan's sovereignty over the islands." Statements that are sure to displease Beijing.

Mr. Abe also mentioned the idea of ​​building a Japanese-designed high-speed rail line that could help Mr. Trump travel between the White House in Washington, DC and Trump Tower in New York in just one hour.

"We will work together to advance our common interests, issues on which we share many things in the region, including freedom of navigation and defending against the nuclear and missile threat from North Korea, both of which are huge priorities for me," Mr. Trump said.

According to tuoitre.vn