TOKYO, May 27 (CGTN) -- U.S. President Donald Trump kept up the pressure on Japan to cut its trade surplus with America, saying ahead of a summit with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that he expected some announcements, probably in August, with the trade gap straightened out rapidly.
Trump added that he expected "good things" to emerge from his push to get the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to denuclearize while adding that he "could be wrong."
Monday's talks with Abe are part of a four-day state visit that was big on pomp and circumstance meant to showcase the alliance between the two countries, which, however, has been overshadowed by trade tensions.
"Trade-wise, I think we'll be announcing some things, probably in August that will be very good for both countries," Trump said. "We'll get the balance of trade, I think, straightened out rapidly."
Abe, who has developed close personal ties with Trump since the U.S. leader came to office, stressed the closeness of ties.
"I am determined to demonstrate at home and abroad the very strong bond," he said of the alliance in Japan's new Reiwa era, which began on May 1, when Emperor Naruhito inherited the throne.
Earlier, Trump was greeted by Naruhito and his wife at the imperial palace in Tokyo in a formal welcome ceremony broadcast live on national television.
Trump: 'Great respect' between U.S. and DPRK
At the start of bilateral talks with Abe, Trump also said that there is "great respect" between the United States and DPRK, predicting "lots of good things" despite recent missile launches by Pyongyang.
"I personally think that lots of good things will come with North Korea (DPRK), I feel that. I may be right, I may be wrong, but I feel that," the president added.
"We've come a long way."
The comments came despite short-range missile launches by Pyongyang in May that Trump's own National Security Adviser John Bolton said over the weekend were in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
DPRK: Bolton 'war fanatic' over missile test comments
In response to Bolton, DPRK's foreign ministry said Monday in a statement carried by state media that the U.S. adviser is a "war fanatic" who was wrong to conclude.
A statement issued by the country's official news agency KCNA quoted a foreign ministry official as saying that giving up missile tests would mean giving up the right to self-defense.
Bolton is working more to destroy peace and security that maintain security, it added.
