CNN News:特朗普开始亚洲五国之行 贸易和朝鲜问题是重中之重
U.S. President Donald Trump is on a 13-day trip to five countries. In order, it includes stops in Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines. The White House says its two main objectives are addressing the nuclear threats from North Korea and discussing international trade.
Both topics came up in Japan, where President Trump spent Sunday and Monday. U.S. and Japan are closed allies. They both been threatened by North Korea.
And during a news conference, alongside Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the American leader echoed something that U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said about North Korea.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The era of strategic patience is over. Some people said that my rhetoric is very strong, but look what's happened with very weak rhetoric over the last 25 years.
AZUZ: North Korean government officials say they're closely watching President Trump's Asia visit. He's scheduled to be in South Korea Tuesday and the Communist North called President Trump a war maniac, and said that if he does anything crazy, North Korea will respond powerfully.
SUBTITLE: Trump in Asia: The big issues at stake.
WILL RIPLEY, cnn INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Here in Tokyo, the top priority is the U.S.-Japan alliance. So, you can expect to see Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and U.S. President Donald Trump projecting friendship as they tackle two major issues, trade and North Korea.
Over in Pyongyang, officials are still furious over President Trump's speech at the United Nations, when he threatened to totally destroy their country and insulted their leader, calling him rocket man. They're also angry about ongoing joint military exercises. The North Koreans tell me the time for talk is over and it's time to send President Trump a message.
MATT RIVERS, cnn INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: In Manila, President Trump will meet a fan of his in Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. The popular but controversial figure has had nothing but praise for the U.S. leader, and the two will discuss Duterte's ongoing war against drugs. The big question, will Trump bring up alleged human rights abuses committed by Duterte's government, of targeting not only drug dealers but drug users as well?
PAULA HANCOCKS, cnn INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The priority for South Korea during Trump's visit is North Korea. President Moon Jae-in has gone along with the U.S. policy of sanctions and pressure, but ultimately, Moon wants dialogue. More engagement with the North and it's a desire that in past Trump has called appeasement.
And then, there's trade. Trump has convinced Seoul to renegotiate the trade deal between the two countries, but Seoul doesn't want many changes.
NIC ROBERTSON, cnn INTERNATOINAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: President Trump's biggest age old challenge in Vietnam will likely be convincing APEC leaders of his views on free trade. He'll address the Asia Pacific Economic Committee summit, telling him he wants fair trade and balanced trade.
Perhaps the most watched event if it does happens is a possible bilateral between President Trump and President Putin of Russia, although if it does take place, it's slightly to be shrouded by the discussions of Russian meddling in U.S. president elections.
The other events still not on the schedule that may happen, a trilateral between President Xi of China, President Putin and President Trump. Likely North Korea on that agenda.
RIVERS: The biggest issue for China when President Trump arrives here in Beijing will be North Korea. The Trump administration wants China to do more, to force North Korea to stop developing its nuclear weapons. China says it's doing enough already. That issue will dominate conversations, though expect discussions over things like trade and opioids as well.