Trump’s trip to focus on nukes, trade

May not see DMZ, but golf in Japan is on the schedule

USA TODAY WASHINGTON On his 12-day trip to Asia next month, President Donald Trump plans to pressure world leaders to curb North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, complain about Chinese trade practices — and, possibly, play golf in Japan.

What’s still uncertain: Whether Trump will visit the de-militarized zone between South and North Korea, and whether he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of an economic summit.

“The president’s travel will underscore his commitment to longstanding United States alliances and partnerships, and reaffirm United States leadership in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said.

While aides said Trump is still working on the details of his schedule, the government of Japan announced the president would play a round of golf with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Japanese golf star Hideki Matsuyama on Nov. 5.

A senior administration official, briefing reporters on condition of anonymity because the schedule is not yet final, could not confirm the TrumpAbe outing — but noted that both leaders enjoy golf and the president is open to the idea.

So far, the president is scheduled to visit Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines from Nov. 3 to 14.

The primary topic of Trump’s Asia travels: North Korea’s nuclear threats.

Trump is trying to persuade neighboring countries, particularly China, to pressure North Korea into giving up its nuclear weapons program.

Trade is another priority on Trump’s Asian travels. The president has protested what he claims are unfair trade practices by China, South Korea, and other Asian nations — the results of “bad trade deals” that have enabled U.S. companies to move jobs overseas.

En route to Japan, Trump will make a stop in Hawaii, for a briefing at U.S. Pacific Command and to tour the Pearl Harbor memorial.