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Japan pM Ishiba, after Meeting Trump, Voices Optimism Over Averting

by Etta Patrick (2025-02-10)

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TOKYO, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed optimism on Sunday that his nation could avoid higher U.S. tariffs, saying President Donald Trump had actually "recognised" Japan's huge investment in the U.S. and the American jobs that it creates.

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At his very first White House top on Friday, Ishiba informed public broadcaster NHK, rocksoff.org he explained to Trump the number of Japanese automakers were developing jobs in the United States.


The 2 did not particularly go over automobile tariffs, Ishiba said, accc.rcec.sinica.edu.tw although he said he did not understand whether Japan would go through the mutual tariffs that Trump has actually said he prepares to impose on imports.


Tokyo has up until now escaped the trade war Trump let loose in his very first weeks in office. He has revealed tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China, although he held off the 25% duties on his North American neighbours to permit for prawattasao.awardspace.info talks.

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The escalating trade tensions given that Trump returned to the White House on January 20 threaten to rupture the worldwide economy.


Ishiba said he believes Trump "acknowledged the reality Japan has been the world's largest financier in the United States for five straight years, and is for that reason different from other countries."


"Japan is producing numerous U.S. tasks. I believe (Washington) won't go straight to the concept of greater tariffs," he said.

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Ishiba voiced optimism that Japan and the U.S. can prevent a tit-for-tat tariff war, stressing that tariffs need to be put in place in such a way that "advantages both sides".

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"Any action that exploits or excludes the opposite won't last," Ishiba said. "The concern is whether there is any issue between Japan and the United States that necessitates imposing greater tariffs," he included.


Japan had the highest foreign direct financial investment in the United States in 2023 at $783.3 billion, wolvesbaneuo.com followed by Canada and Germany, according to the most recent U.S. Commerce Department information.


Trump pushed Ishiba to close Japan's $68.5 billion yearly trade surplus with Washington but revealed optimism this could be done quickly, offered a promise by Ishiba to bring Japanese investment in the U.S. to $1 trillion.


On Sunday, Ishiba determined liquefied natural gas, steel, AI and automobiles as areas that Japanese companies could purchase.


He likewise discussed Trump's pledge to look at Nippon Steel buying U.S. Steel, wavedream.wiki rather than purchasing the storied American business - a prepared purchase opposed by Trump and obstructed by his predecessor, Joe Biden.


"Investment is being made to guarantee that it remains an American business. It will continue to run under American management, with American employees," Ishiba said. "The key point is how to guarantee it remains an American company. From President Trump's viewpoint, this is of utmost significance."


On military costs, thatswhathappened.wiki another area where Trump has actually pressed allies for increases, Ishiba said Japan would not increase its defence budget without first winning public support. "It is crucial to make sure that what is deemed essential is something the taxpayers can comprehend and support," he said. (Reporting by Leika Kihara: Additional reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by William Mallard)



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