Ishiba states no talk with Trump on vehicle tariffs at top

Trump acknowledges Japan's US substantial investment, task development

LNG, steel, AI and automobiles are areas Japan can buy US

Nippon Steel will operate under US management, personnel

Japan will not raise defence spending without public assistance

TOKYO, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba revealed optimism on Sunday that his country could prevent greater U.S. tariffs, stating President Donald Trump had "recognised" Japan's substantial investment in the U.S. and the American tasks that it develops.

At his first White House summit on Friday, engel-und-waisen.de Ishiba informed public broadcaster NHK, oke.zone he explained to Trump the number of Japanese automakers were producing tasks in the United States.

The two did not specifically discuss car tariffs, Ishiba said, humanlove.stream although he said he did not understand whether Japan would be subject to the reciprocal tariffs that Trump has actually said he prepares to trouble imports.

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

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

Ishiba said he "recognised the truth Japan has been the world's largest investor in the United States for 5 straight years, and is for that reason different from other countries."

"Japan is creating lots of U.S. jobs. I believe (Washington) will not go straight to the concept of higher tariffs," he said.

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

"Any action that exploits or omits the other side won't last," Ishiba said. "The concern is whether there is any issue between Japan and the United States that warrants imposing higher tariffs," he included.

Japan had the highest foreign direct financial investment in the United States in 2023 at $783.3 billion, accc.rcec.sinica.edu.tw 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 yearly trade surplus with Washington however expressed optimism this might be done rapidly, offered a guarantee by Ishiba to bring Japanese financial investment in the U.S. to $1 trillion.

On Sunday, Ishiba identified melted gas, steel, AI and cars as areas that Japanese business could purchase.

He likewise touched on Trump's guarantee to take a look at Nippon Steel purchasing U.S. Steel, as opposed to purchasing the storied American company - a planned purchase opposed by Trump and obstructed 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 employees," Ishiba said. "The bottom line is how to ensure it remains an American company. From President Trump's viewpoint, this is of utmost value."

On military costs, another location where Trump has pressed allies for boosts, akropolistravel.com Ishiba said Japan would not increase its defence budget without first winning public support. "It is essential to ensure that what is considered required is something the taxpayers can understand and support," he said. (Reporting by Leika Kihara: Additional reporting by Tim Kelly