NHK NEWSLINE, 14 April 2018— A senior US official says President Donald Trump is expected to discuss with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe how to respond to North Korea when they meet next week. The official says Trump also places importance on the North’s abduction issue.

The 2 leaders are scheduled to meet at Trump’s retreat in Florida on Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of the proposed US-North Korea summit.

The US official told reporters on Friday that the meeting will be a chance for Trump and Abe to closely cooperate on the issue of North Korea and exchange views ahead of the summit.

The official said Trump was moved by his meeting in Japan last November with the families of Japanese who had been abducted by North Korea.
The official said when Trump thinks about North Korea, he keeps in mind those abductees, as well as Americans being detained in the North.

According to the official, Trump and Abe could also discuss trade issues, such as the US imposition of heavy tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from around the world, including those from Japan.

The official noted that Trump is considering rejoining the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement if it benefits the US, and that he is also willing to enter into talks with Japan on concluding a bilateral free trade pact.