US VP Mike Pence meets Indonesian president on Asia tour

As for cooperation in economic and structural policies, Aso said the two countries will “closely work together through discussion on global economic and financial situations surrounding Japan and the U.S”.

United States Vice-President Mike Pence, warning North Korea to give up its nuclear and missile programmes, has promised an “overwhelming and effective” response to any attack on the USA or its allies.

Through three American administrations, the USA and its allies had worked tirelessly to peacefully dismantle the nuclear program and alleviate the suffering of the North Korean people.

The American vice president is on a 10-day trip to Asia that has been dominated by the North Korea issue.

Speaking aboard the USS Ronald Reagan at the Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan Wednesday, Pence reiterated the USA and its allies were prepared to respond to potential North Korean attack with “overwhelming” force. On Wednesday, Pence is scheduled to visit the U.S. Navy’s Yokosuka base and give a lecture in Tokyo.

South Korea’s Presidential candidate Moon Jae-in from Democratic Party attends an election campaign rally in Seoul, South Korea, April 17, 2017. “North Korea would do well not to test his resolve – or the strength of the armed forces of the United States in this region”.

Sakakibara said he explained to Pence how Japanese corporate activities have contributed to the United States economy.

But the revelation could be damaging to the United States position in Asia, experts say, as it feeds the idea that President Trump cannot always be taken at his word. President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the 12-country trade agreement after his inauguration in January.

Aboard the USS Ronald Reagan at the Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan, Mike Pence reaffirmed the USA commitment to defend its East Asian allies from North Korea.

That’s for job creation and economic growth for both parties. His comments raise the prospect of trade talks with Japan, as well as a look into the current agreement with South Korea. Pence wasn’t supposed to walk outside, according to the schedule, but he decided in the moment he wanted to send a message directly to the North Koreans.

Pence also took a much tougher line on North Korea, saying the days of broken promises were over, while adding that the US would counter any attack with an “overwhelming response”. Tillerson told reporters that Washington was reviewing the possibility of reinstating North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism.

He said the Trump administration would work with ASEAN on security issues, trade and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

“Hopefully Pence’s visit indicates a change in attitude, at least that they are moving away from the stance that they don’t like Islam much”, he added. He affirmed the USA commitment to her longstanding relationship with Japan.

The talks were proposed by Japan during a summit between Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in February.

Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday hailed Japanese companies for contributing to USA economic prosperity, moving to ease fears over the protectionist agenda of President Donald Trump. He said those troops “know what you who stand in the gap in this region already know – North Korea is the most risky and urgent threat to the peace and security of the Asia Pacific”.

Pence reassured Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday that the US considers its alliance with Japan to be a cornerstone of security in the region.

“As you, President Widodo have said so often, we’re looking for a win-win relationship and we’re confident that we can find it on an increasing basis”, Pence said. “We are with you 100 percent”. The country’s United Nations envoy, Kim In Ryong, said this week that the USA had pushed the Korean Peninsula to the “brink of war”.

Pence, joined by his wife and daughters, later went on a tour of Jakarta’s Istiqlal mosque, posing for pictures in the massive empty courtyard and walking through the five-storey prayer hall, big enough to hold 200,000 people. Trump in the past has stated “free and fair” trade is necessary, while criticizing Japan’s auto trade as unfair.

None of the dozen or so North Korea experts contacted by Business Insider said large-scale military action against the regime was credible.

Vice President Mike Pence has reaffirmed the importance what he says is the strategic partnership between the United States and the world’s most populous Muslim nation, Indonesia.