Yes,
President Trump took the United States out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, but he did not take America out of the Pacific. More pertinently, his 12-day Asia trip begins tomorrow, and his presence will be a noteworthy part of the backdrop to whatever happens next week in Vietnam and the Philippines. The highlights of the trip include:
November 3 - In Hawaii, a briefing from the U.S. Pacific Command and a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial.
November 5 - In Japan and discussions with
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
November 7 - In the Republic of Korea for meetings with
President Moon Jae-in and a speech to the National Assembly.
November 8 - In Beijing for meetings with
President Xi Jinping and other events.
November 10 - In Danang, Vietnam, where he will participate in the APEC Leaders' Meeting and deliver a speech to the APEC CEO Summit.
November 11 - In Hanoi, Vietnam, for a meeting with President
Tran Dai Quang and other leaders.
November 12 - In Manila "to participate in the Special Gala Celebration for the 50th Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)."
November 13 - Also in Manila, "the President will celebrate the 40th anniversary of U.S.-ASEAN relations at the U.S.-ASEAN Summit and participate in bilateral meetings with
President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines and other leaders."
Editor's Note: All of the above details about the President's forthcoming trip to Asia are from the White House press release on the trip of October 16.
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