(VOVworld) – US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Friday to discuss a bilateral framework after the US withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. In a joint communiqué after the summit in Washington, the two leaders said the US and Japan need to be pioneers to create free and fair markets, based on rules, in the Asia-Pacific region.

US President Donald Trump (left) and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (right) (Photo: The Japan Times)

The two leaders agreed that the US will strengthen its role in the Asia-Pacific region and Japan will play a more important role in their bilateral alliance. They also asked North Korea to stop its nuclear programs.

President Trump has accepted Abe’s invitation to Japan this year.