In a background briefing on Abe's visit Friday, the official, who asked not to be named, said the meetings at Trump's personal resort Mar-a-Lago in Florida would start in the afternoon on April 17 with a one-on-one meeting, followed by a small-group discussion that will include some of their top national security officials.

The Trump-Abe discussions, the second of its kind between the two since last year, would continue with a larger bilateral meeting where the leaders could expand their discussions to include a range of "priority bilateral issues," said the official.

He added that the two sides are likely to focus on how their two countries can jointly promote trade ties and ensure universal access to affordable energy, high-quality trade and investment standards.

The official also said the visit is an opportunity for the two leaders to continue their coordination on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and exchange views before Trump meets Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Later on April 18, the two leaders would give a joint press conference, highlighting areas of mutual interest and cooperation. Abe would depart for home on the morning of April 19.