Trump: Japan is 'winning' with free trade

Starting his second day in Asia under under the cloud of another mass shooting in the United States, President Trump told business leaders in Japan that too many trade deals have benefited foreign partners at the expense of Americans.

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تاریخ: ۱۵ آبان ۱۳۹۶ - ۰۸:۲۷

"I have to say for the last many decades Japan has been winning — you know that," Trump told Japanese and American business leaders meeting Monday morning in Tokyo, Sunday night in the United States.

Trump began his speech by citing more tragedy in the U.S., and pledging the federal government's help to the victims of Sunday's mass shooting at a church in Texas.

"All of America is praying to God to help the wounded and the families of the victims," Trump said in Tokyo. "We will never ever leave their side."

Trade is a major theme of a Trump trip that will also take him to meetings with leaders in South Korea and China, as well as economic conferences in Vietnam and the Philippines.

Trump has threatened to seek changes in various U.S. free trade deals, including one with South Korea; officials in other countries have said that Trump is exaggerating the shortcomings of free trade and underestimating the benefits to the United States.

Japan, in particular, criticized Trump for pulling the United States from the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership, a massive agreement among Pacific Rim nations designed to increase economic activity and lower prices for all members.

In his meeting with Japanese and American business leaders, Trump said too many free trade deals have helped U.S. businesses move overseas, leaving behind newly unemployed Americans. He also complained about U.S. trade deficits, and said other countries need to open their markets to more American products.

"Our trade with Japan is not fair or open," Trump said. "Not free or reciprocal."

Trade will be one of the topics of Trump meetings Monday with Japanese leader Shinzo Abe. While the two leaders have gotten along in public, including while playing a round of golf on Sunday, they have different views of the trade issue.

Trump and Abe will also conduct a joint news conference on a day devoted largely to symbolic events.

The president and first lady Melania Trump planned to make a call on Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan. They also greeted employees at the U.S. embassy in Tokyo.

Another event underscored a major theme of Trump's Asia trip: Confronting North Korea over its nuclear weapons. Trump is urging Asian nations to put economic pressure on Kim Jong Un's  government, trying to force it to give up nuclear weapons.

In Tokyo, Trump planned to address Kim's aggression in a meeting with families of Japanese citizens who have been abducted by North Koreans.

On Monday evening, Abe will host a state banquet for Trump.