Trump touts ‘ America first’ at Asia summit
DA NANG, Vietnam – President Trump is on a diplomatic trip to Asia, but at times Friday it sound like just another campaign speech about trade.
Speaking before the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, Trump echoed his 2016 stump speech by complaining too many countries take advantage of the United States on trade, and vowing to change that.
“I am always going to put America first the same way that I expect all of you in this room to put your countries first,” Trump told APEC.
Claiming that some trading partners are not playing by the rules— but not citing any by name — Trump pledged to crack down on closed markets, predatory practices, currency manipulation, intellectual property theft, high trade deficits and other alleged practices.
“In the end,” he said, “unfair trade undermines us all.”
As he did in China, a key stop in his 12- day tour of Asia, Trump said he did not blame other countries for taking advantage of the U. S. — the fault, he said, lies with previous presidents.
“I wish previous administrations in my country saw what was happening and did something about it,” Trump said. “They did not, but I will.”
While Trump attended the APEC summit to argue for new trade rules and lobby against North Korea, one potential event fell through: a formal meeting with Russia President Vladimir Putin.
As Air Force One landed midday in this seaside Vietnamese city, White House officials announced the schedulewould not permit a formal meeting between Trump and Putin; they did not rule out an informal chat.
In his speech to the APEC summit, Trump promoted the idea of “free and open Indo- Pacific” region- based concepts such as the rule of law, private enterprise and “trade reciprocity.” He called on allies towork together to defeat terrorism and stop North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.
Trump spoke toAPEC as officials in member countries wondered — not unlike the president’s critics in the U. S. — about the meaning of his “America first” rhetoric and his decision to walk away from a major regional trade deal.