Donald Trump has begun a whistle-stop tour of Asia that will culminate in his first face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping for six years. It is “the most important week of diplomacy” for Trump “since he returned to office”, said The Economist.

US President Donald Trump is in Japan today, continuing his series of key meetings with leaders in Asia, as the government shutdown drags on back home. Follow for live updates.

With China dominating the global shipbuilding industry, and amid a port-fee dispute with Washington, the US president sees new strategic partnerships as critical.

On Wednesday, Trump is also expected to visit South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. While there, Trump will hold a bilateral meeting with the president of the Republic of Korea, deliver keynote remarks at the APEC CEO luncheon and participate in APEC working dinner.

President Donald Trump arrives Monday in Japan where new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is banking on building a friendly personal relationship with the U.S. leader to ease trade tensions