politics

After sumo, golf and dinner, Trump and Abe get down to business

53 Comments
By Richard Carter

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When it comes to the US economy however, unemployment is at record lows and the US is doing extremely well. Shows the benefits of having a business friendly President.

It's a tainted, short term result.

A future crisis is ahead.

Economists are pointing out the low-qualified, low-salary jobs created, the low level of productivity, the low level of companies investment, the increasing inflation and deficit.

It's just a ticking bomb.

And, most of the time, the economical results of a presidency appear on the next mandate.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

We can rightfully criticise Donald Trump for some of the things he has done over the years, both personally and also in his business dealings as well.

When it comes to the US economy however, unemployment is at record lows and the US is doing extremely well. Shows the benefits of having a business friendly President.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Lol, Abe didn't serve him cheeseburgers?

That's what winning sports teams get at the White House

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The US closest ally used to be the UK, but with a civil war with a large portion of traitors with allegiance to Brussels, those days are over

That largely depends on the president in charge. Obama was criticized for getting involved in the EU membership referendum by coming out for remain, and Trump was also criticized for getting involved by coming out for leave.

Incidentally, Trump annoyed many on both sides in the UK by retweeting dodgy videos from a UK-based racist organization.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Trump's going to crap on Japan, as regards trade

Nooooooo, but he is gonna make sure we get a fair trade deal. After 70 years it's finally gonna happen.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Trump's going to crap on Japan, as regards trade, and everyone is simpering over him.

Marvellous.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Two fellows from different cultures are just having good times. What's wrong with that?

Sure. Nothing wrong when right wing authoritarians hook up, as history has shown us.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

What a waste of time & tax payer's money to entertain a person that is going to increase taxes on Japan's exports & insist to sell more beef and agricultural products to destroy Japanese farmers. Is this a joke or something ???.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Negativity after Negativity

Two fellows from different cultures are just having good times. What's wrong with that? I say they should also go for Onsen.

Try to chill out and if u cannot, at least smirk it!

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Remember folks; Biden bad, Kim good.

Anything else is just unpatriotic.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

So much negativity on an official visit to Japan by the President of the United States. Tsk tsk.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Abe invited him to golf.. It's not a trump golf course in Japan, there isn't any last time I checked.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Presidents Trump inability to put forward a intellectually coherent meaningful level of debate, without resorting to degrading or humiliating political opponents will be the harbinger of his own downfall. To stoop to the same level allows Donald Trump the belief that threats and resorting to abusive behaviour is justifiable means to achieve or advance ones agenda.

Presidents Trump mumbles and stumbles when challenged directly on this short comings and presented with an effective retort.

When backed into a corner Presidents Trump is prone to exaggeration, petty vindictiveness, bluster, intimidation, harassment and bullying. Donald Trump runs away, as I believe was the case when the Kim – Trump summit collapsed.

Picking apart his policy agenda, humouring his lack of etiquette, deportment,and humility. Highlight his tendency to deliberately cloud and falsify the legality of past tax indiscretions and lack of accountably to confront and justify domestic and foreign policy initiatives is a way forward.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Well Trump chose burgers last time, if you forgot..

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Strangerland

"Um, someone doesn't realize that it's the host who chooses the dining location."

Hosts sometimes ask if the guest has an preferences.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

I have to hand it to trump, I've been to that restaurant, it's casual and not posh at all and down to earth. Unlike Obama going for premium ¥100,000 dinner at Ginza when he came, a burden for both Japanese and American tax payers..

Um, someone doesn't realize that it's the host who chooses the dining location.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

I have to hand it to trump, I've been to that restaurant, it's casual and not posh at all and down to earth. Unlike Obama going for premium ¥100,000 dinner at Ginza when he came, a burden for both Japanese and American tax payers..

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Name calling is rude and disrespectful, to debate President Trump by belittlement and attacking his family is missing an opportunity to aggressively challenge President Trump policy agenda and failures in office.

Yes, I have on occasion, attacked and been rude to Donald Trump personally, unnecessary and a tad immature.

Trumps lack of diplomatic and political office, coupled with a game show mentality and analysis of trade disputes,or building sustainable global relationships is Trumps true weakness. Home in on his polities.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Abe=Mr. Brown Nose

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I get that he's an unsavory person, but the amount of hate he gets is just unwarranted and really predicated by the (western) media. Why can't anyone have some optimism about these talks?

You may as well ask why the sky can't be purple, or why sunlight has to burn.

The fact is, a competent leader not only doesn't have to deal with nearly the flood of complaints about incompetence as an incompetent leader does, they have the competence to deal with unjustified whining, and still get stuff done. For the Americans who whine about Trump getting called out for being Trump, well lesson learned. Elect a moron, and people will treat him as such, stunting his ability to lead. Want someone who can lead? Don't elect an incompetent troll. Or if you do, stop whining when people treat him like an incompetent troll.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

As expected, the comment section is full of "orange man bad". I get that he's an unsavory person, but the amount of hate he gets is just unwarranted and really predicated by the (western) media. Why can't anyone have some optimism about these talks?

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Te people of both Japan and the US could be forgiven for questioning whether the fun-filled weekend of golf, sumo, cheeseburgers and charcoal-grilled meat and vegetables, for “golf buddies” U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe -- add in the eye watering cost associated for the wrap around security operation, all resembles the text book definition of the ultimate short break holiday of a lifetime, with the taxpayers of both counties footing the bill.

For Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe though, the visit is remarkable political and diplomatic success story, if not a tad extravagant.

The timing, politically, the context, logic and reasoning behind Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agenda is to smother or limit any real threat of a protracted trade dispute between Japan and the US.

To achieve this, an unprecedented public display of diplomatic hospitality plus inflating U.S. President Donald Trump ego to stratospheric levels.

But here the rub.........

"North Korea fired off some small weapons, which disturbed some of my people, and others, but not me," Trump tweeted. "I have confidence that Chairman Kim will keep his promise to me." …...

Frighteningly naïve,considering the people of Japan are just 10 minutes away from incineration.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

RecklessToday  09:22 am JST

Simon Foston this is Trump Country!

What, Japan? Whatever gives you that impression, other than PR stunts orchestrated by Trump's bootlicker-in-chief Shinzo Abe?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

The US closest ally used to be the UK

I'd say Canada was, both in proximity, and in dedication.

Canada stopped blind support when the US invaded Iraq though. Which so many Americans criticized, but in retrospect, Canada was the adult in the room.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Why does he even travel? He looks sulky and down anytime he stays somewhere that doesn't have his name on it.

Did you know his original ancestors name was "Drumpf"? True.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I'm commenting on something that was directly attributed to myself as a resident of Japan.

I mean 'directly pointed at myself'.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I am sorry to hear that Trump didn’t buy a cell phone for you like the other guy.

I do a lot of business with Americans. I don't need Trump to buy me a cell phone. But that doesn't change the fact that nothing he has done, has done anything for me.

It seems that “ask not what your country can do for, ask what you can do for your country” doesn’t work for Socialists.

I'm not American. Why would I do something for America? And before you start to question why I'm even commenting, let's review the comment I was replying to:

everything Trump is doing actually benefits Japan residents such as some of the people crying.

I'm commenting on something that was directly attributed to myself as a resident of Japan.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

It is indisputable that Japan wants to have a close relationship with the USA.

With the USA - not Trump - they realize he's just a doddering. senile, old fool that you have to coddle....

Trump is amazing. His impact is on par with Kennedy. Finally a President who can stand up to China!

Stands up to China? Now that's a laugh. The guy gets his clothing line and Ivanka gets her shoes all made in Chinese factories, cheating American workers out of jobs - all while calling China an unfair trader. What a fraud and a con artist...

https://qz.com/1483890/how-many-donald-trump-products-are-made-in-the-usa/

5 ( +7 / -2 )

@Chip Star

Your proud of a guy that has divided us more than any other president whilst punishing the middle class by making them pay for handouts to the rich?

You would prefer the slogan “One people, one country, one leader”?

Unity has rarely occurred in American history and even then was extremely short lived. Division means people are still thinking.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Try to make another tour invitation for Trump after he returns to US as he did before. Only friends on earth.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Fine dinning at its very best. Abe and Trump, two leaders at their very best.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

Trump has done nothing that has benefited me as far as I can tell.

I am sorry to hear that Trump didn’t buy a cell phone for you like the other guy. It seems that “ask not what your country can do for, ask what you can do for your country” doesn’t work for Socialists.

-15 ( +0 / -15 )

RecklessToday  09:11 am JST

Trump is amazing. His impact is on par with Kennedy. Finally a President who can stand up to China!

This is just like reading North Korean propaganda about the Kim dynasty.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

It is indisputable that Japan wants to have a close relationship with the USA.

It was never in dispute. With whom are you arguing now?

12 ( +12 / -0 )

For Trump everything is a show, a spectacle. For him, the office of POTUS is just another performance in his little reality TV life, with real consequences everybody else is forced to pay.

I don't have a problem with Trump degrading himself, he's done the all his life and people know him as a joke, specially people in NY. But when he degrades the office of the President and the country as a whole, well, that's a different matter.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Abe has succeeded in his main task: proving to Japan that he has Trump under his control and that there is nothing to worry about (delayed auto tariffs etc.).

0 ( +3 / -3 )

It is indisputable that Japan wants to have a close relationship with the USA.

-8 ( +2 / -10 )

Very proud of my President and what he does for the American.

Your proud of a guy that has divided us more than any other president whilst punishing the middle class by making them pay for handouts to the rich?

9 ( +14 / -5 )

everything Trump is doing actually benefits Japan residents such as some of the people crying.

Trump has done nothing that has benefited me as far as I can tell. I have had some major business pains dealing with some of the policies he's brought in though.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

All this tax payer money used for one hour of talk...

Why am I not surprised.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

It looks more like Abe and Trump are dating each other rather than doing anything political/diplomatic/useful.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

Very proud of my President and what he does for the American. I am just not a fan of japan, not because of the whole rent a girlfriend and family policy they promote, but, among other things, them trying to go back on the offense in war. Especially after how they tend to treat certain people, from what I personally witnessed over there. just seems a bit strange on why japan and abe are so crazy about Trump. Didnt know they loved him that much. Trump always spoke about japan's unfair business practices back in the 80's and how he respected them, but didn't think they were fair, but very surprising on how he is so popular over there. I would like to see him improve relations with another country and their chairman in the same light, as japan and U.S. relations has already reached their peak I would think.. maybe a place and region in more of need of de-escalating tensions. But maybe that is in all due time.

-28 ( +5 / -33 )

I wonder if the chefs were allowed to have a bunch of huge sharp knives around like they usually would.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Why are people expecting anything productive out of this trip / meeting? Trump said it would not be substantive.

I can't speak for others, but I can assure you that I never expect anything productive out of Trump. I try to keep my expectations realistic, to prevent disappointment.

6 ( +18 / -12 )

Why are people expecting anything productive out of this trip / meeting? Trump said it would not be substantive.

13 ( +15 / -2 )

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