Ivanka steals show at Abe meet
GLAMOUR GIRL: Reports swirl in Japanese media that she may be next envoy to Tokyo
PHOTOS of United States President-elect Donald Trump’s landmark first talks with a foreign leader show his daughter Ivanka was present, underscoring the family’s influence as he readies to take power.
In the meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Trump Plaza residence, Ivanka — a modelturned-business executive — was seen seated as the group conversed in the opulent reception room.
Media were shut out of the gathering in Manhattan, but images released by the Japanese government also showed Ivanka and her husband, real estate developer and publisher Jared Kushner, standing and chatting with Abe.
Ivanka and Kushner, both 35, have emerged as key advisers to Trump.
World leaders have scrambled to establish ties with Trump but Abe was the first to see him in person since a vote that has provoked anxiety US President-elect meeting Japanese Prime Minister at Trump Tower, New York, on Thursday. With them are Trump’s daughter, Ivanka (third from right), son-in-law Jared Kushner (third from left) and former general Michael Flynn (right). Reuters pic
over US foreign policy and Washington’s commitment to security in Asia. Abe said afterwards that the encounter convinced him that Trump was someone “in whom I can have great confidence”.
Also seen standing in one of the photos, amidst the gilt and chandeliers of Trump’s skyscraper, was former general Michael Flynn.
But the presence of Ivanka, in a black-and-white dress and high
heels, drew attention in protocolconscious Japan, particularly after the tabloid press reported Trump planned to appoint her as US ambassador to Tokyo.
Some, however, saw her presence as potentially blurring the line between business and politics.
Ivanka became embroiled in a mini-scandal this week after her jewellery company issued a message promoting the US$10,000
(RM43,000) gold bracelet she wore during her father’s first television interview as president-elect on Sunday, raising questions of potential conflicts of interest.
Japanese media have reported Trump’s rise with great curiosity, but had largely ignored personalities surrounding him, including Ivanka and campaign manager Kellyanne Conway.
The Tokyo Sports
newspaper, however, carried an article titled “Trump daughter-blonde beauty Ms Ivanka the next ambassador to Japan?” on its website last Saturday.
It cited overseas media as having reported that Trump had secret plans to appoint her ambassador, replacing Caroline Kennedy.
Later, Trump tapped arch-conservative Senator Jeff Sessions to be attorney-general and hawkish congressman Mike Pompeo, a strident opponent of the Iran nuclear deal, as his Central Intelligence Agency director, Trump’s transition team announced yesterday.
The incoming commander in chief also appointed Flynn as his national security adviser.
All three have accepted their appointments. Flynn’s appointment does not require Senate approval, but the other two do.
In Berlin, President Barack Obama used a meeting with European leaders yesterday to urge them to work with the incoming administration and discuss steps to resolve the conflicts in Syria and eastern Ukraine.
Obama’s meeting with the leaders of Germany, Britain, France, Italy and Spain was likely his last in such a setting. The session expands on talks he held the day before with Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Obama didn’t speak before departing for Peru. The White House said he thanked his counterparts for their cooperation. Agencies