US Elections 2016, the day after: US-Asia ties under Trump

Abe to meet Trump next week

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the first global leader to meet US President-elect Donald Trump next Thursday (Nov 17) in New York. PHOTO: AFP

TOKYO • Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will meet US President-elect Donald Trump next Thursday in New York, the first global leader to call on the billionaire after his election victory.

A Japanese foreign ministry official said yesterday that Mr Abe and Mr Trump had spoken for about 20 minutes on the telephone and tentatively set a date for the meeting, just before Mr Abe goes to Peru for an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

During their phone conversation, Mr Abe "talked about the importance of the bilateral relationship and the Japan-US alliance", which he stressed underpins the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific, the foreign ministry official said.

In response, Mr Trump said he hoped to strengthen the US-Japan relationship further, the official said. He also said he appreciated Mr Abe's economic policy and looked forward to working with him, she added.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 11, 2016, with the headline Abe to meet Trump next week. Subscribe