Tokyo (Reuters)-Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Wednesday that he is determined to protect his country’s national interests amid difficulties in commercial negotiations with the United States and threats from President Donald Trump from even higher tariffs to the Asian ally.
“Japan is different from other countries, as we are the largest investor in the United States, creating jobs,” Ishiba said in a public debate with opposition party leaders.
“With our basic focus being the investment and not tariffs, we will continue to protect our national interest as we work to reduce the US commercial deficit with Japan,” he said.
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On Tuesday, Trump launched questions about a possible deal with Japan, indicating that he could impose a 30% or 35% rate on Japanese imports-well above the 24% rate he announced on April 2 and then paused until July 9.
Tokyo has not yet been able to guarantee a trade agreement after almost three months of negotiations, while striving to find ways to make Washington exempt the Japanese automakers of 25% -specific tariffs in the automotive sector, which are impairing the country’s manufacturing.
Japanese TV Asahi reported on Wednesday that Japan’s tariff negotiator, Ryosi Akazawa, was organizing his eighth visit to the United States this weekend.
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Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Akazawa said he would not discard the possibility of traveling to the US, but said no specific plan was decided.
Ishiba said during the debate that Japan will continue to create jobs in the US, while protecting national industries.
“If car sales for the US is bound to fall, we will increase internal demand and diversify export destinations to protect the Japanese industries,” said Ishiba.
