Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe turned on the charm at the G20 Friday, congratulating President Trump on his “historic victory” in the midterm elections — in which Democrats easily captured the House and the GOP picked up a pair of seats in the Senate.
“I would like to congratulate you on your historic victory in the midterm elections in the United States,” Abe told the president, following a pattern in which world leaders try flattery to forge better relations with the commander-in-chief.
Trump himself also hailed the midterm results the day after the election.
“I thought it was very close to a complete victory,” he said, noting that most candidates he backed had won.
“We saw candidates I supported achieve tremendous success last night,” Trump said.
At the G20, Trump said Friday he hoped the US and Japan could balance their trade deficit “very quickly.”
Trump noted that the US was doing a lot of trade and other business with Japan, but that he wanted faster progress in reducing the trade imbalance.
Trump took office criticizing US trade deficits with other countries, and has vowed to turn around those relationships, including by imposing tariffs.
Abe also said the US-Japan alliance “has become more robust than ever” under Trump.
Other world leaders, notably French President Emmanuel Macron and the Saudi royal family, have lavishly praised the president during his visits to their countries.
With AP