WASHINGTON/TOKYO ¨C U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis will seek to reassure allies worldwide that they can still rely on an increasingly inward-focused America as he heads to East Asia on the first overseas trip by a Trump administration Cabinet member.
The retired U.S. Marine Corps general leaves Wednesday for South Korea and Japan ¡ª two of Washington¡¯s closest allies ¡ª amid questions about President Donald Trump¡¯s commitment to the region, having pulled out of a 12-nation Pacific trade deal and suggesting previously that Asian nations weren¡¯t paying enough for U.S. troops stationed in their countries.
¡°It¡¯s a reassurance message,¡± said one Trump administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.