President Trump visits Japan and South Korea as trade deals take center stage

President Donald Trump is in Japan and South Korea today as part of a seven-day trip through Asia.

(NBC)- President Donald Trump is in Japan and South Korea today as part of a seven-day trip through Asia, where trade remains the top priority at every stop.

Negotiators are still finalizing agreements with Japan and South Korea, while also laying the groundwork for future trade pacts with China and Malaysia.

“We’re going to do tremendous trade together — more than ever before,” Trump said during remarks ahead of bilateral talks.

In Tokyo, the president met with Japan’s newly elected prime minister, who is steering a deal that commits $550 billion — about one-tenth of Japan’s economy — to fund U.S. projects in exchange for avoiding steep tariffs.

“We’re just signing a new deal, and it’s a very fair deal,” Trump said. “It’s something that everybody is very excited about.”

Meanwhile, Chinese officials met over the weekend to explore options to avoid Trump’s threatened 100% tariff increase on Chinese imports. The White House says the president also plans to confront Chinese President Xi Jinping about the flow of fentanyl into the United States.

Back home, Vice President J.D. Vance is expected to meet with Republican lawmakers as the government shutdown continues. The largest federal workers’ union is calling for an immediate resolution, warning that thousands of families are struggling without pay.

“It’s a lot of uncertainty,” said Anthony Speight, a furloughed federal worker. “Bills continue to pile up. I have children to feed, a mortgage to pay — it’s a lot of uncertainty.”