Expressing Willingness to Strengthen US-Japan Cooperation
"There Will Be an Opportunity to Speak with Trump"
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant at the Prime Minister's Residence in Tokyo on July 18 (local time). Secretary Besant visited Japan to attend "America Day" at the Osaka-Kansai Expo (Osaka Expo).
According to Japanese local news outlets such as Kyodo News and Fuji News Network (FNN), Prime Minister Ishiba told reporters immediately after meeting with Secretary Besant that he had requested the ministers to continue vigorous consultations in order to reach an agreement on US tariff measures that would benefit both the US and Japan.
However, regarding the 25% reciprocal tariffs that the US plans to apply to Japan starting August 1, he stated, "We did not discuss that matter specifically."
Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba shaking hands with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Photo by AP Yonhap News
Prime Minister Ishiba added that Secretary Besant also made remarks to the effect that "a good agreement can definitely be reached."
Prime Minister Ishiba said that although the schedule for the US-Japan tariff negotiations has not been finalized, he expects to have an opportunity to speak directly with US President Donald Trump, and stated, "We will make decisions while closely monitoring the direction of the negotiations going forward."
He also expressed his gratitude to President Trump for sending the US delegation and said he expects the "America Day" event scheduled for July 19 to serve as an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of the US-Japan alliance.
He explained, "I discussed the desire for Japan and the US to further strengthen cooperation, Japan's ongoing independent efforts to enhance its defense capabilities, and the many areas in economic security where the US and Japan can collaborate."
Meanwhile, Secretary Besant is scheduled to tour the US Pavilion at the Osaka Expo on July 19 before participating in official events. The Japanese side's Minister in charge of tariffs, Ryosei Akazai, Minister for Economic Revitalization, will be responsible for responding to the US delegation.
However, since no officials assisting with tariff negotiations accompanied the US delegation on this visit, it is presumed that official tariff negotiations will not take place at this time.
In this regard, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported that "the US is currently analyzing Japan's proposals to reduce its trade surplus with the US through large-scale investments and expanded imports of US products."
The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that both sides also discussed ways to strengthen the alliance through a foreign and defense ministers' (2+2) meeting, and that the first consultation for realizing a "free and open Indo-Pacific" would be held at an appropriate time. The ministry also confirmed the policy of further strengthening cooperation in a wide range of areas, including security and the economy.
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