Blog Briefing Room

Trump and Japanese prime minister give thumbs-ups after golfing

President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gave a thumbs-up to cameras after playing golf at a Trump property on Wednesday. 

“Prime Minister @AbeShinzo of Japan and myself this morning building an even deeper and better relationship while playing a quick round of golf at Trump International Golf Club,” Trump tweeted along with a picture of himself with Abe on the course, showing Trump’s signature gesture. 

The “quick” game took just under five hours, according to a White House pool report. Abe and Trump are in Florida for a two-day summit.

Trump, who has touted his burgeoning friendship with his Japanese counterpart, hosted the prime minister at the Mar-a-Lago resort in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Tuesday and Wednesday for talks on trade policies and North Korea. 

The summit comes after reports that CIA Director Mike Pompeo met personally with North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un earlier this year, after Trump himself accepted an invitation to meet with the authoritarian leader. 

Trump and Abe previously golfed together last year during Trump’s visit to Japan, where they were joined by a Japanese pro golfer. 

The leaders are set to take questions at a joint press conference on Wednesday night.