Trump announces F-35 missiles for Japan arriving 'this week' during USS George Washington visit, signaling accelerated U.S. defense deliveries to Tokyo.

The US president is set to conclude his first tour of Asia in Seoul in the coming days where high-stakes talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping over trade disagreements are scheduled to take place.

President Trump is beginning his remarks to hundreds of American troops at the U.S.S. George Washington, an aircraft carrier docked at the Yokosuka Naval Base south of Tokyo. He walked out to “God Bless the USA,” and the crowd began chanting “U-S-A” as he began speaking. Prime Minister​ Sanae Takaichi of Japan is also there.

As President Donald Trump tours Asia this week, a delegation from North Carolina is also visiting Tokyo hoping to drum up some business. Why it matters: Japan has become an increasingly important part of North Carolina's tech and manufacturing economy.

Around 20 companies from Japan and the U.S. have expressed interest in projects that could contribute to Tokyo's commitment to invest $550 billion in the United States as part of a trade agreement, a factsheet by the two countries showed on Tuesday.

Asian shares rallied and U.S. futures jumped Monday, with Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 topping 50,000 for the first time. Work on trade deals that might alleviate friction between the U.S., China and other major trading partners contributed to upbeat sentiment as U.