TOKYO — U.S. Vice President Mike Pence arrived in Tokyo on Monday to discuss North Korea and other issues with Japanese officials before heading to two regional summits. Pence is expected to also discuss China’s growing regional influence and bilateral trade with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when they meet Tuesday, officials said. Pence said in a recent opinion piece in the Washington Post that America will soon begin negotiations for “a historic trade agreement with Japan.”The two countries agreed in September to start negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement. President Donald Trump’s administration has reached a trade pact with South Korea and another with Mexico and Canada. Pence said in the article that the new trade deals “will put American jobs and American workers first.”Pence also stressed American commitment to the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer November 12, 2018 11:03 UTC