Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and U.S. President Donald Trump are unlikely to issue a joint statement when they meet in Tokyo later this month, apparently to avoid exposing differing views on bilateral trade and North Korea issues, Japanese government sources said Saturday.
Joint statements are not legally binding but are treated as an important diplomatic document. The talks between Abe and Trump are being arranged for May 27 upon Trump's visit to Japan as the first state guest to meet with Emperor Naruhito.
According to the sources, Abe and Trump are facing difficulties in striking a deal on the bilateral trade agreement launched in April, with Washington seeking to reduce the hefty U.S. trade deficit with Japan.