Japan PM Ishiba After Meeting Trump Voices Optimism Over Averting

Ishiba states no talk with Trump on vehicle tariffs at summit


Trump recognises Japan's US substantial financial investment, task development


LNG, steel, AI and cars are locations Japan can buy US


Nippon Steel will operate under US management, personnel


Japan will not raise defence costs without public support


TOKYO, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru optimism on Sunday that his nation might prevent higher U.S. tariffs, saying President Donald Trump had actually "identified" Japan's huge financial investment in the U.S. and the American tasks that it develops.


At his first White House summit on Friday, Ishiba informed public broadcaster NHK, he explained to Trump how numerous Japanese automakers were producing jobs in the United States.


The two did not specifically go over vehicle tariffs, utahsyardsale.com Ishiba said, wiki.rolandradio.net although he said he did not know whether Japan would be subject to the mutual tariffs that Trump has actually said he plans to impose on imports.


Tokyo has so far got away the trade war Trump unleashed in his first weeks in workplace. He has announced tariffs on items from Canada, Mexico and China, although he held off the 25% tasks on his North American neighbours to allow for talks.


The escalating trade stress given that Trump went back to the White House on January 20 threaten to rupture the international economy.


Ishiba said he believes Trump "acknowledged the truth Japan has been the world's biggest investor in the United States for 5 straight years, and is therefore various from other nations."


"Japan is developing lots of U.S. tasks. I think (Washington) will not go straight to the concept of greater tariffs," he said.


Ishiba voiced optimism that Japan and the U.S. can avoid a tit-for-tat tariff war, worrying that tariffs must be put in location in such a way that "advantages both sides".


"Any action that makes use of or excludes the other side will not last," Ishiba said. "The concern is whether there is any issue between Japan and the United States that requires enforcing higher tariffs," he added.


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


Trump pushed Ishiba to close Japan's $68.5 billion annual trade surplus with Washington however revealed optimism this could be done rapidly, provided a pledge by Ishiba to bring Japanese investment in the U.S. to $1 trillion.


On Sunday, Ishiba recognized liquefied gas, steel, AI and automobiles as locations that Japanese companies could invest in.


He likewise touched on Trump's pledge to look at Nippon Steel investing in U.S. Steel, users.atw.hu instead of purchasing the storied American company - a prepared purchase opposed by Trump and blocked by his predecessor, Joe Biden.


"Investment is being made to ensure that it remains an American company. It will continue to operate under American management, with American workers," Ishiba said. "The bottom line is how to guarantee it remains an American business. From President Trump's viewpoint, this is of utmost importance."


On military spending, another area where Trump has pushed allies for boosts, vetlek.ru Ishiba said Japan would not increase its defence budget plan without very first winning public support. "It is essential to make sure that what is deemed required is something the taxpayers can comprehend and support," he said. (Reporting by Leika Kihara: Additional reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by William Mallard)