President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba are set to give remarks to the press after their White House meeting Friday.
Ishiba, under the shadow of a minority government, is looking to bolster the relationship between the U.S. and Japan and negotiate with Trump to keep a presence in the island nation amid threats from China and North Korea. The White House, according to The New York Times, will likely push for Tokyo to purchase more U.S.-made weapons or energy, as well as taking on more of the defense burden in the Asia-Pacific region.
Trump named George Edward Glass to serve as the ambassador to Japan. Glass was an ambassador to Portugal during the president’s first administration.
The meeting also follows the president’s vow in December to block a Japanese company from acquiring U.S. Steel.
The press conference is scheduled to begin at 1:10 p.m. EST.
Watch the live video above.
