Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has urged the United States to review its tariff measures. He indicated he will pursue a solution that benefits both sides.
Ishiba spoke to reporters in the Philippines on Wednesday during his visit to the country.
He referred to the upcoming second round of negotiations with the US attended by Japan’s top tariff negotiator, Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa Ryosei. Ishiba said Japan’s basic stance remains unchanged, and that Tokyo will continue asking for the measures to be abolished.
The prime minister said his government will listen to US officials because it has yet to fully confirm Washington’s demands.
He also said Japan will firmly tell the US side that it is important to work together to create jobs and to harmonize their global roles, rather than one gaining profits and the other suffering losses.
He also mentioned that he exchanged views with the leaders of the Philippines and Vietnam, as well as executives of Japanese firms in the countries, over the tariff issue.
Ishiba said the impact of US tariffs and China’s retaliatory measures on the global economy and the multilateral trade system is enormous. He also said he has heard about the views of Southeast Asian countries and what response Japanese firms doing business overseas want. Ishiba said his government will further step up support for them.
AloJapan.com