Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visiting White House ahead of G-20 summit in Osaka.
Golf, gold-plated gifts, steak dinners and red carpet invitations -- President Donald Trump may know the art of the deal, but Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe probably leads when it comes to the art of flattery.
However, while Abe gets unusually personal gestures from the president -- who calls him a"good friend" -- it's unclear, so far, what Japan has earned from the leaders' close personal relationship. Instead, the longtime U.S. ally is facing U.S. tariffs, was forced into trade talks and fears being iced out of North Korea negotiations.
Still, Japan places great importance on its close relationship with the U.S., and the bond its prime minister has built with Trump. While Japanese officials said the focus of Friday's visit is to prepare for the G-20 summit Japan's hosting in June, it also gives Abe another chance to work on that bond -- and perhaps win something from it.
Trump, who likes Abe’s charismatic style and negotiating skills, even invited Abe to be the first world leader to visit his private club Mar-a-Lago. The two joked with each other on the golf course and worked to respond to a missile test by North Korea's Kim Jong Un during an alfresco meal. On that last issue, Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer met last week and then again on Thursday to discuss a potential agreement. Japan is the United States' fourth-largest export and import market, with over $75 billion in exports in 2017.
Friday's meetings also will be Abe's first chance to hear, in person, about Trump's summit in Vietnam with North Korea's Kim Jong Un. Trump and Abe spoke by phone shortly after talks between Trump and Kim broke off.
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