Trump embarked on a four-day state visit to Japan to showcase the alliance between the two countries, but the trip was also overshadowed by trade tensions.
Trump clearly linked trade and security, a link that troubled Japan. The U.S. -Japan alliance is the core element of Japan's defense policy.
"It's all about balance sheets," he said. "When I talk about security threats, I talk about balance sheets.
"In order to get $716 billion in military spending each year, you need to invest a lot of money," he said, adding that Japan has purchased "huge" amounts of U.S. military equipment.
Trump tweeted Sunday that he expects to wait until after July's Senate elections for greater trade action.
"On trade, I think we will announce something, maybe in August, that is very good for both countries," Trump said Monday. "We will strike a trade balance, and I think we will solve the problem quickly."
Abe emphasized the close relationship between the two sides.
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