President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with U.S. and Japanese Business Leaders at the U.S. Ambassador's residence on Nov. 6 in Tokyo. | Andrew Harnik/AP Photo Trump to Japan: Make more cars in the U.S.

TOKYO — President Donald Trump on Monday took a shot at Japan over trade and called on the country to manufacture more cars in the United States, unleashing a direct criticism of the host country on the first leg of his 12-day tour of Asia.

“Try building your cars in the United States instead of shipping them over,” Trump implored during a briefing with business executives before asking, “That's not rude?”


Trump's comments echoed his previous jabs, but they were notable because he lobbed them publicly during his visit here. And they’re an indication that he will not let his close relationship with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe quiet his long-standing concerns about trade and manufacturing.

Trump and his aides have repeatedly trumpeted the president’s friendship with Abe, which began in February when the Japanese leader visited Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s private club in Florida.

Japanese automakers make millions of cars and parts in the United States.

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Still, while the president said the U.S. has long cooperated with Japan, he added, “I have to say that for the last many decades, Japan has been winning. And you do know that.”

Trump also said the United States would do more trade with Japan under his leadership than if he had remained in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a deal that was seen as crucial in much of Asia.

Trump is expected to lodge similar complaints throughout the swing through Asia, which will include stops in South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines.

