The Latest: Trump welcomes Singapore leader to White House
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump's planned visit to Asia in November (all times local):
12:35 p.m.
President Donald Trump is welcoming the leader of Singapore to the White House.
Trump greeted Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong Monday morning. The two leaders met in the Oval Office before a private working luncheon.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump called the prime minister a "highly respected" man who had done a "fantastic" job. He also said that Singapore would be signing a "large contract" to buy airplanes from Boeing.
Trump is taking a 12-day trip to Asia in early November. He says it will be a "busy" time.
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12:10 p.m.
President Donald Trump is congratulating Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on his election win.
The White House said Trump called Abe Sunday to salute his victory. Abe had called a snap election and his ruling coalition won a clear majority with more than two-thirds of the Japanese parliament's 465 seats.
The two men also highlighted their shared commitment to a strong relationship between Japan and the United States and to free trade in the region.
Trump also told Abe that he is looking forward to visiting Japan early next month. Japan will be the first stop on the president's five-nation, 12-day Asia trip.
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10:26 a.m.
President Donald Trump is not planning to visit the border between North and South Korea known as the Demilitarized Zone when he visits Asia next month.
The White House says Trump instead plans to visit Camp Humphreys, a military base about 40 miles south of Seoul. The White House says time constraints would likely not permit Trump to do both, although plans could still change.
Most U.S. presidents have visited the border as a signal to South Korea and other allies that the U.S. will not stand for any aggression from the rogue North Korean regime. Vice President Mike Pence visited the DMZ earlier this year.
South Korea is one of five nations Trump will visit during 12-day Asia trip in early November.
