Donald Trump is up for reelection in November, hoping to secure four more years in the presidency against former vice president Joe Biden. Following the announcement of Japan’s prime minister Shinzo Abe’s resignation, Trump reached out to Abe to discuss foreign policies.
Trump reached out to the outgoing prime minister to discuss foreign policy over the phone during the weekend. This phone conversation comes at a time where Trump hopes to tout his relations with other world leaders in his reelection bid. Trump confirmed the call on Twitter, praising Abe and hailing him as the country’s greatest prime minister.
“Just had a wonderful conversation with my friend, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, who will be leaving office soon. Shinzo will soon be recognized as the greatest Prime Minister in the history of Japan, whose relationship with the USA is the best it has ever been. Special man!” tweeted Trump. The White House also confirmed the call between Trump and Abe.
New York Times Tokyo bureau chief Motoko Rich revealed that the two world leaders spoke for 30 minutes. Trump and Abe also discussed the Japanese citizens who have been abducted by North Korea, becoming the source of the long-running tensions between the two countries. They have also talked about the COVID-19 pandemic and the good relations between the US and Japan.
Prior to the phone call, Trump expressed concern for Abe’s health last week, telling the press aboard Air Force One that he wanted to pay his respects to the outgoing prime minister. Abe announced that he will be resigning for health reasons.
Meanwhile, Trump will be traveling to Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Tuesday to take a look at the damage that came as a result of the ongoing civil unrest following the shooting of Jacob Blake by a police officer. Blake, a Black man, was shot several times in the back, and while he survived, he is paralyzed from the waist down. Trump will be meeting with local law enforcement while at the state.
However, when pressed if Trump will be personally meeting Blake’s family while in Kenosha, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said that there are no current plans for Trump to meet Blake’s family.