Mattis heading to Asia for first SECDEF trip

Defense Secretary James Mattis will head to Asia for his first official trip with plans to meet with officials in Japan and South Korea, the Pentagon announced today.

The trip, which will stretch from Feb. 1 to Feb. 4, will include stops on Seoul and Tokyo.

“Departing on Feb. 1, Secretary Mattis will begin his trip in the Republic of Korea, where he will meet Minister of National Defense Han Min Koo and other senior Korean officials,” according to the Pentagon. “On Feb. 3, Secretary Mattis will travel to Tokyo for meetings with Minister of Defense Tomomi Inada and other senior Japanese officials. The trip will underscore the commitment of the United States to our enduring alliances with Japan and the Republic of Korea, and further strengthen U.S.-Japan-Republic of Korea security cooperation.”

The trip comes as President Trump has officially withdrawn the United States from the Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal, something that has rattled some U.S. allies in Asia who fear Chinese influence will soon fill the void.

“The free trade system based on free and fair common rules is the source of growth for the world economy,” Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Wednesday, according to a report by Reuters.

“I think President Trump also understands the importance of free and fair trade, and I want to steadfastly seek his understanding of the strategic and economic significance of the TPP agreement,” Abe said.