Trump, Abe tee off amid trade tensions

Mobara (Japan), May 26: Golf never seems to be far behind whenever US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe get together.

So on Sunday, during a four-day state visit to Japan, the President jumped aboard the Marine One helicopter in Tokyo and flew south to the Mobara Country Club for a steamy morning round with the Japanese leader. Abe is Trump’s closest friend among world leaders and it’s the fifth time they played golf together since Trump took office. Abe’s strategy is to keep his country out of Trump’s crosshairs amid USJapan trade tensions and the continued threat North Korea poses to both nations.

Later in the day, Abe introduced Trump to Japan’s ancient sport of sumo wrestling. The president sat ringside at a championship match in

■ THIS IS the fifth time they played golf together since Trump took office.

■ TRUMP tweeted earlier that Japan loves the game.

Tokyo featuring the oversized athletes. He also presented the winner with his own “President’s Cup” trophy.

The leaders also ventured into Tokyo for a dinner double date with their wives. A motorcade of golf carts ferried Abe to meet Trump when he arrived at the club. They exchanged a warm handshake, patted each other on the forearms and posed for a throng of journalists. Japanese TV later broadcast Trump swinging his club on the course. Trump tweeted that he was “Going to play golf right now with @AbeShinzo. Japan loves the game.”