Trump Starts Call with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba, Discusses Tariffs
U.S. President Donald Trump started a call with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and discussed tariffs in general, just as Tokyo’s top negotiator departed for the U.S. for another round of trade talks.
Trump did not say anything specific about tariffs while Ishiba reiterated Japan’s current stance on the levies during the 45-minute meeting, the prime minister told reporters Friday in Tokyo.
The two agreed that they look forward to meeting in person at a Group of Seven leaders’ meeting in June in Canada, Ishiba said. The call between the two leaders was the first since early April when the U.S. increased its tariffs on countries around the world, including Japan.
The call signaled the Asian nation still has the president’s attention even as it appears to be lagging behind other countries in reaching a trade deal. Ishiba said Japan will continue to seek the removal of additional U.S. levies.
“We have consistently called for the removal of tariff measures, and our position remains unchanged,” Ishiba said. “The president did not mention this issue specifically.”
Source: Bloomberg
