Amid trade tensions, Trump and Abe prepare to tee off

Golf never seems to be far behind whenever President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe get together.

President Donald Trump walks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe before playing a round of golf at Mobara Country Club, Sunday, May 26, 2019, in Chiba, Japan. [Photo: AP]

Trump was headed to Mobara Country Club, south of Tokyo, on Sunday morning for a round with the Japanese leader — the fifth time they'll play together.

It's part of a continuing charm offense by Abe to stay on Trump's good side amid trade tensions between the two countries and the continued threat of North Korea.

Later Sunday, Abe will introduce Trump to the ancient sport of sumo wrestling by taking Trump to sit ringside at a championship match. Trump will also be presenting his own "President's Cup" trophy to the winner.

Before departing, however, Trump appeared to downplay expectations that he and Abe make significant headway on trade talks during the trip. Trump has been seeking a bilateral agreement with Tokyo since pulling out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement two years ago, though analysists on both sides expect that to take a while.