President Obama and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe are set to explain how great the TPP is and how the renewed military assertiveness is 'peaceful'... [8]
As AP reports,
The United States and Japan are boosting their defence relationship to allow a greater Japanese role in global military operations with an eye on potential threats from China and North Korea.
Before Japan's prime minister visits Washington this week, the two countries' foreign and defence ministers on Monday signed off on revisions to the U.S.-Japan defence guidelines. They are the first changes to the treaty allies' joint strategy in 18 years. Any changes are subject to security legislation pending in Japan's parliament.
The revisions boost Japan's role in missile defence, mine sweeping and ship inspections amid growing Chinese assertiveness. The new arrangements also allow Japan to dispatch its armed forces beyond the region for logistical backup of U.S. military's global operations, in distant areas including the Middle East.
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Due to start at 12ET...
As USA Today reports, [9]it was not just military deals,
President Obama welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the White House on Tuesday for a day of ceremonial pomp and tough talk about free trade.
The state visit comes as American and Japanese negotiators try to put the finishing touches on their section of a massive trade agreement involving the United States and a dozen Pacific Rim nations.
"Ours is an alliance that is focused on the future," Obama said during the South Lawn ceremony welcoming Abe, including "trade that is fair and free."
Among the sticking points that remain: American tariffs on Japanese pickup trucks, and Japanese barriers to U.S. farming products.
Abe, speaking through an interpreter, told Obama that "our bilateral relationship is more robust than ever," one that is "addressing regional and global challenges while developing our bilateral ties with the United States in a consistent manner."
Domestically, Obama is pushing fellow Democrats to back trade promotion authority, a bill that would give the president the right to put together a final trade agreement and present it to Congress for an up-or-down vote.
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