Trump courted with golf, burgers
Japan lays out the welcome mat for U.S. president amid threat of tariffs on autos
TOKYO — It was a day of sumosized diplomacy.
Plenty of world leaders have tried to butter up U.S. President Donald Trump with flattery and favours. Japan’s Shinzo Abe on Sunday raised the bar for all of them.
First, Abe treated his friend to a round of golf (with tweeted selfie). Then the prime minister allowed Trump to take centre stage at a sumo wrestling match, where he spent the better part of the day watching large men in loin cloths and bare feet brawl inside a ring.
When it was over, Trump did what no other American president has done. Climbing into the elevated dirt ring, or “dohyo,” in ceremonial slippers, Trump presented a hulking 27-kilogram trophy to the tournament champion — a cup that Trump said he hoped would be used for “many hundreds of years.”
“I hereby award you the United States President’s Cup,” Trump told Asanoyama, the sumo champion, as he read from a scroll.
From there, it was off to a “couple’s dinner” for the Trumps and Abes.
The golf, sumo, dinner — with a cheeseburger lunch wedged in — were part of a diplomatic package designed by Abe to stay on Trump’s good side amid tensions between their governments over trade and other issues.
It began with 16 holes of golf at Mobara Country Club, where they were joined by Japanese pro Isao Aoki. On the lunch menu: double cheeseburgers, made with U.S. beef.
Abe next introduced Trump to Japan’s ancient sport of sumo wrestling, which Trump had previously said he finds “fascinating.” Even so, at times he appeared somewhat bored at Ryogoku Kokugikan Stadium.
Loud applause greeted Trump as he entered the arena and took his seat a few rows behind the ring, in a break from the custom of sitting cross-legged on cushions. Trump, Abe and their wives were among an estimated 11,500 fans in attendance.
Match over, Trump walked onto the stage in dark slippers — shoes are banned from the ring — to present the cup.
The president praised Asanoyama’s “outstanding achievement” and then hoisted the trophy, which the White House said was 137 centimetres tall, into Asanoyama’s arms with assistance from an official.
It was fitting entertainment for the businessman president who had helped promote the World Wrestling Federation back home. Trump sponsored major events, appeared in bits and was inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2013.
Another honour awaited Trump on Monday when he was set to become the first head of state to meet Japan’s new emperor, Naruhito, who succeeded his father on May 1. Trump was also to be the guest of honour at a banquet hosted by the emperor at Japan’s Imperial Palace.
Trump and Abe scheduled talks Monday and planned to hold a joint news conference. But Trump set measured expectations for what would be accomplished, tweeting that serious trade negotiations with the Japanese “will wait until after their July elections,” referring to upcoming parliamentary elections.
Abe sought quickly after the 2016 U.S. election to build a rapport with Trump. Japan relies on the U.S. for security and Abe has encouraged Trump to maintain international agreements and keep pressure on North Korea.
For all of the over-the-top camaraderie of the day, the two countries have serious differences to work through.
Trump has threatened Japan with tariffs on imports of autos and auto parts on national security grounds. He has suggested he will impose the levies if the U.S. can’t win concessions from Japan and the European Union. Japan’s trade surplus surged almost 18 per cent in April.