Japan PM Says Won’t Easily Compromise To Trump On Tariffs

TOKYO: On Sunday, Tokyo’s President Donald Trump said he would “easily reconcile” during talks with Washington while trying to prevent the threat of bringing tariffs up to 35 percent of Japanese goods.

“We will not easily compromise. That’s why it takes time and why it’s hard.” He said.

His comments came to run to negotiate with the Trump administration before the deadline for Japan’s trade agreements.

In April, Trump announced a 10 percent tariff for imports from most trading partners, while he announced no higher rates in dozens of economies, including Japan, to include negotiations.

This pause will end on July 9, that is, if the countries cannot reach agreements with Washington to prevent them, high rates must be activated.

Trump said he would write a letter to Japan and would ask for “30 percent, 35 percent or the number we set, no matter what” and call the bilateral trade relationship “unfair”.

In particular, he repressed Japan to accept more US automobiles and rice.

Tokyo’s trade ambassador Ryosei Akazawa organized phone calls with US Trade Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursdays and Saturdays.

At the Sunday television show, Ishiba reiterated that Japan, the largest investor country in the US economy, should be treated differently from other countries.

“What is unfair? How is it not fair? We need to examine each one,” he said.

“We are allies, but we must say what to say. We are the largest investor country in the world and the biggest business creator (in the US). We are different.” He said.

On another Sunday television show, Ishiba said that Japan was planning to cope with Trump’s letter.