In a high-stakes trade drama, Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is gearing up for a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump as early as next week. The discussion comes on the heels of weeks of intense lobbying that failed to secure an exemption from the new U.S. tariffs, including a 24% rate that has sparked a national crisis in Tokyo.
During a recent TV interview, Ishiba emphasized that he will talk logically about the mutual benefits, highlighting Japan’s role as one of the largest investors in the United States. Despite the setback, he reassured that Japan will not respond with tit-for-tat tariffs, instead focusing on measures to help domestic industries weather the impact.
Japanese officials are scrutinizing the consistency of these tariffs with World Trade Organization guidelines, and experts warn that the new measures could reduce Japan's real GDP by 0.6% in 2025. To mitigate the fallout, the government plans to ease access to state-backed loans for small businesses and has set up a task force to analyze the situation.
The debate also heated up when U.S. President Trump pointed to Japan’s rice tariffs—figures which Japan’s Agriculture Minister Taku Eto dismissed as "illogical." As this trade tug-of-war unfolds, all eyes are on the upcoming call, which could open the door to fresh negotiations and shift the balance of U.S.-Japan trade relations. Stay tuned for updates and keep an eye out for the next plot twist in this international trade saga! 🚀💬
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Japan's PM to discuss tariffs with Trump after failed exemption lobby
cgtn.com
