Shigeru Ishiba has expressed strong backing for former U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a massive trade deal framework, calling it an exciting development in global economic cooperation and potentially strengthening U.S.-Japan trade relations. At a press briefing in Tokyo on Tuesday, Ishiba declared the announcement a significant step in regional and global trade stability and pledged his country’s cooperation in expanding economic alignment between Japan and the U.S. “We applaud former President Trump’s bold initiative; trade is vital to both economies, so any steps toward decreasing friction or expanding collaboration must be welcomed with open arms,” stated Ishiba. Trump’s...