By Summary
- Ishiba says no talk with Trump on auto tariffs at summit
- Trump recognizes Japan’s U.S. huge investment, job creation
- LNG, steel, AI, and autos are areas Japan can invest in U.S.
- Nippon Steel will operate under U.S. management, staff
- Japan will not raise defense spending without public support
TOKYO, Japan, Feb 9 (AfrikTimes) – Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed optimism on Sunday that his country could avoid higher U.S. tariffs, saying President Donald Trump had “recognized” Japan’s huge investment in the U.S. and the American jobs that it creates.
At his first White House summit on Friday, Ishiba told Japan’s public broadcaster NHK that he explained to Trump how many Japanese automakers are contributing to job creation in the United States. Although the two did not specifically discuss auto tariffs, Ishiba noted that he was unsure whether Japan would face the reciprocal tariffs that Trump has announced plans to impose on imports.
Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is welcomed upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, Feb. 6, 2025.
Tokyo has so far escaped the trade war Trump unleashed in his first weeks in office. He has announced tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China, although he postponed the 25% duties on his North American neighbours to allow for talks. The escalating trade tensions since Trump returned to the White House on January 20 threaten to rupture the global economy.
Ishiba said he believes Trump “recognized the fact Japan has been the world’s largest investor in the United States for five straight years and is therefore different from other countries.”
“Japan is creating many U.S. jobs. I believe Washington won’t go straight to the idea of higher tariffs,” he said. Ishiba voiced optimism that Japan and the U.S. can avoid a tit-for-tat tariff war, stressing that tariffs should be put in place in a way that “benefits both sides”.
President Donald Trump, center left, greets Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, right, at the White House, Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
“Any action that exploits or excludes the other side won’t last,” Ishiba said. “The question is whether there is any problem between Japan and the United States that warrants imposing higher tariffs,” he added.
President Donald Trump pressed Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to close Japan’s $68.5 billion annual trade surplus with the U.S., expressing optimism that it could be achieved quickly, especially after Ishiba pledged to increase Japanese investment in the United States to $1 trillion.
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 7, 2025.
On Sunday, Ishiba highlighted key areas where Japanese companies could make investments, including liquefied natural gas, steel, artificial intelligence, and automobiles.
He also discussed Trump’s request to examine Nippon Steel’s potential investment in U.S. Steel, rather than pursuing a direct acquisition of the American company—a move opposed by Trump and blocked by his predecessor, Joe Biden.
“Investment is being made to ensure that it remains an American company. It will continue to operate under American management, with American employees,” Ishiba said. “The key point is how to ensure it remains an American company, which is of utmost importance from President Trump’s perspective.”
U.S. President Donald Trump holds a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in the East Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 7, 2025.
