State visit by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe designed to amplify U.S. engagement in Asia.
President Barack Obama hosts Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the White House on Tuesday for a state visit designed to highlight his effort to amplify U.S. economic and military engagement in Asia.
Messrs. Obama and Abe are seeking to strengthen ties between their two nations to help counter China’s increasing economic and military assertiveness in the region.
The two leaders reached an agreement in advance of the visit to expand military cooperation, but are still working to complete a trade agreement between the U.S. and Japan that would clear the way for a broader pact among 12 Pacific nations.
Mr. Obama told The Wall Street Journal on Monday that failing to complete a free-trade deal with Pacific nations would further China’s influence.
“If we don’t write the rules, China will write the rules out in that region,” Mr. Obama said.
The U.S. and Japanese leaders were set to participate in a series of formal events throughout Tuesday, beginning at 9 a.m. ET with a welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House and ending late into the night with an elaborate dinner and reception in the State Dining Room.
Amid the pageantry, the two leaders will hold a meeting in the Oval Office, followed by a news conference at noon.
“Today, we welcome Prime Minister Abe as we broaden our alliance for our time,” Mr. Obama said Tuesday at the arrival ceremony. “Ours is an alliance focused on the future—the security of our nations and the world; trade that is fair and free; and the equal opportunity and human rights of all people.”
Mr. Abe described U.S.-Japan relations as “more robust than ever.”
“Our alliance is back on track, and it is even stronger,” he said. “Japan will be at the forefront with the United States in addressing regional and global challenges while developing our bilateral ties with the United States in a consistent manner.”
Talks leading up to Tuesday’s summit resulted in a statement on economic, military and technological cooperation, including an agreement to jointly work on high-speed-rail projects, a Japanese priority for Mr. Abe’s trip. The two governments also issued a statement outlining a vision for the relationship between “former adversaries who have become steadfast allies.”
When they appear before reporters, Mr. Obama is likely to face new questions about his trade agenda. In recent days, he has expressed frustration with fellow Democrats who argue an agreement would hurt American workers.
The president could also be asked about riots in Baltimore that erupted in response to the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man who died in police custody earlier this month.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency Monday evening, hours after Mr. Gray’s funeral, as National Guard troops were deployed throughout Baltimore to support local police.
Mr. Obama has yet to publicly address the situation. He met Monday with his new attorney general, Loretta Lynch, to discuss the issue. He also spoke with Baltimore MayorStephanie Rawlings-Blake, the White House said.
But Mr. Obama’s main focus Tuesday is on Mr. Abe.
A modernized military agreement between the two countries would allow the U.S. and Japan to “become even more capable” in policing Asia, Mr. Abe told The Wall Street Journal last week.
Negotiators from both countries have signaled that they are close to completing a bilateral trade deal, but they have played down hopes of completing it this week.
While efforts to remove trade barriers have been ongoing for 21 months, U.S. officials have said differences remain on issues that would impact the auto and agriculture industries.
Following lengthy negotiating sessions last week, Japan’s chief negotiator said the talks were in the “final stage.”
A deal would bolster ties between the two countries and would give Mr. Obama’s economic agenda a boost. The U.S. president has made completing the Trans-Pacific Partnership a priority in his second term, but he still faces political headwinds at home.
Mr. Abe told The Wall Street Journal last week that reaching an agreement with Mr. Obama during their meeting would be a welcome development, “but when you climb a mountain, the last step is always the hardest.”
The White House has launched an aggressive lobbying effort on Capitol Hill to overcome strong opposition from Democratic lawmakers. On the party’s left, critics have argued the proposed trade deal would hurt U.S. workers and could lead to outsourcing and job losses.
Mr. Obama is looking largely to Republicans to help pass so-called fast-track legislation that would allow Congress to vote on trade pacts, including the Pacific accord, but not to amend the deals.
Source: Wall Street Journal
