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Sept. 29 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will travel to several Asian countries and Hawaii in November, the White House announced Friday. Trump will visit Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, the Philippines from Nov. 3 to Nov. 14. with plans to participate in several multilateral cultural engagements -- including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit.
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"President Trump will discuss the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific region to America's prosperity and security," the White House statement said. "He will also emphasize the importance of fair and reciprocal economic ties with America's trade partners."
Trump has made his protectionist stance on trade clear, criticizing Chinese trade tactics and threatening to impose major tariffs against them.
The announcement of the trip also comes as tensions with North Korea continue to escalate.
Last week, the president vowed to "totally destroy" Kim Jong Un's country in the event of war and also referred to the North Korean leader as "Rocket Man" in his speech to the U.N. General Assembly.
In its announcement, the White House made it clear it is making it a priority to lead an international coalition against the North Korean regime and its nuclear program.
"The President's engagements will strengthen the international resolve to confront the North Korean threat and ensure the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."
