U.S. and Japanese Leaders Hold Phone Talks Ahead of Fourth Tariff Negotiations: "Exchange of Views"

U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba held a 25-minute phone call on the 29th, ahead of the fourth round of U.S.-Japan tariff negotiations. According to Kyodo News, the two leaders exchanged views on the issue of tariff negotiations.

After the call, Prime Minister Ishiba told reporters, "We exchanged opinions on the tariff talks and agreed that the responsible ministers should continue discussions to fill in the details."

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (left) and U.S. President Donald Trump shake hands at the White House. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

This phone call was initiated by Japan. Ishiba stated, "There has been no change in Japan's position, and I believe mutual understanding has deepened further."

According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei), when asked whether there had been any discussion regarding Nippon Steel's acquisition of US Steel, Ishiba did not respond. He also reiterated, "Japan has consistently expressed its intention to create jobs in the United States through investment," and emphasized that "there has been absolutely no change in Japan's policy to pursue a win-win outcome."

Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's Minister for Economic Revitalization and the chief negotiator for the Japanese side, departed for Washington, D.C. on this day, where the fourth round of tariff negotiations will take place. The talks are scheduled for May 30, Eastern Time in the United States.

Previously, on May 23, President Trump and Prime Minister Ishiba also held a 45-minute phone call ahead of the third round of tariff negotiations.

At that time, Ishiba said after the call, "I expressed hope that productive discussions would take place at the ministerial-level negotiations, and President Trump agreed." He added that both sides look forward to holding a face-to-face meeting on the occasion of the Group of Seven (G7) summit to be held in Canada from June 15 to 17.