Turnbull, Trump, Abe meet in Manila

Malcolm Turnbull has met US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Manila.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, left, US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull attend a trilateral meeting at ASEAN.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has met US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Manila in a powerful statement between the three democracies facing increasing Chinese power in the region.

“We’ve got the same values and the same focus,” Mr Turnbull said.

Mr Abe said the three men were very close partners that share “fundamental values” and “strategic interests”.

Mr Turnbull and Mr Abe said they were focused on the North Korean missile crisis.

Mr Trump said as a result of his meetings, including the one with the Japanese and Australian leaders, there would be statement from the White House likely on trade and North Korea.”

“We’ve made some very big steps in respect to trade,” he said.

“We have deficits with almost everybody. Those deficits will be cut very quickly and very substantially

“Except us!” Mr Turnbull chimed in.

He also said he was impressed with the White House press pool who accompanied him on the trip.

“You were able to hang in there, I’m very proud of you,” Mr Trump said.

After their bilateral meeting did not go ahead this morning, Mr Trump and Mr Turnbull now plan to dine together tonight.