Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he had a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump and expressed readiness for “productive” discussions in upcoming tariff talks between the two countries.
“Investment, not tariffs,” Mr. Ishiba told reporters after the talks.
He added that Japan will continue to insist on the lifting of all recent tariff measures by Washington and supports initiatives to attract Japanese investment to create additional jobs in the United States in return.
The two leaders discussed the issues just after Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's top tariff negotiator, arrived in Washington for a third round of discussions with his American counterparts.
At previous meetings, the United States failed to meet Japan's demands.
Mr Ishiba said he reminded Trump of Japan's position on lifting all recent tariffs on imports from Japan, to which the American leader did not give a clear answer.
“I expressed hope that the discussion would be productive and we would reach an agreement,” Mr Ishiba told reporters.
The United States imposes a 25% tariff on imported cars, which are the backbone of Japan's trade with America and a major source of economic growth. Mr Trump has partially lifted some of those duties but left higher tariffs on steel and aluminum in place.
Mr Ishiba said Friday's talks were arranged at Mr Trump's request and the two leaders spent 45 minutes discussing a variety of topics including security cooperation between the two allies and the US president's recent visit to the Middle East.
He added that the two leaders also agreed to hold talks when they meet at the Group of Seven summit in Canada next month.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
