[author: Saud Aldawsari]

In February, the prime ministers of Japan and Canada visited Washington and met with President Trump. Trade was a key issue in both meetings.

Japanese Prime Minister Abe’s Visit

On February 10, President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe discussed trade and the relationship between the two countries during a joint news conference at the White House. President Trump expressed the United States’ unwavering commitment to the security of Japan. However, the trade relationship between the two countries remains uncertain after President Trump withdrew the United States from the planned Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.

Prime Minister Abe stated he was “fully aware” of President Trump’s decision to withdraw from Trans-Pacific Partnership trade accord, but that Japan and the United States had agreed on a new framework for economic dialogue. Prime Minister Abe said: “I am quite optimistic that . . . good results will be seen from the dialogue{,}” adding that Japan was looking for a fair, common set of rules for trade in the region. A Japanese government official said that President Trump did not request a bilateral trade deal and the U.S.-Japan economic dialogue would address fiscal and monetary policies as well as infrastructure projects and trade. The official added that the dialogue will be led by the Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso and Vice President Mike Pence.

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau’s Visit

On February 13, Canada’s Prime Minister conducted his first visit to the United States after the election of President Trump. Despite differences on various policies, the two leaders struck a cordial tone. Economic links between the two countries were on the top of the Trudeau’s agenda for the visit. Mr. Trudeau said: “{i}t is a real concern for many Canadians because we know that our economy is very dependent on our bonds with the United States{.}” President Trump, however, assured Prime Minister Trudeau that Canada is not the main target of his plans to reset U.S. trade relations. President Trump’s prior complaints on trade focused primarily on Mexica and China. Mr. Trump did not answer whether he sees Canada as unfair trader but hinted that he does not foresee any major changes in the relationship between the countries. He called the relationship between the partners “outstanding.”

President Trump’s remarks are considered a victory for Prime Minister Trudeau and the Canadian government, which has sought to distance itself from Mexico on trade matters to protect a relationship with the United States that is worth $541 billion a year, accounting for 25 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.