While Trump and Abe Bond, Their Deputies Talk Trade
- Japan suggests that Pence, Aso lead economic dialogue
- Abe comes away with key wins from two-day visit with Trump
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U.S. President Donald Trump spoke of his chemistry with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe over a two-day visit that featured hugs, hand-holding and five hours on the golf course.
On trade, an issue that has caused prior tensions, Abe sought to distance the topic from his burgeoning friendship with Trump -- and assign it to Vice President Mike Pence. At Japan’s behest, the leaders put Pence and Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, who is also finance minister, in charge of a new economic dialogue that will focus on three themes: monetary policy, cooperative projects and trade.