Ishiba states no talk with Trump on vehicle tariffs at summit

Trump acknowledges Japan's US big financial investment, job development

LNG, steel, AI and are areas Japan can buy US

Nippon Steel will run under US management, personnel

Japan will not raise defence spending without public assistance

TOKYO, forum.pinoo.com.tr Feb 9 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba revealed optimism on Sunday that his nation could prevent higher U.S. tariffs, saying President Donald Trump had actually "recognised" Japan's huge investment in the U.S. and the American jobs that it develops.

At his very first White House top on Friday, Ishiba informed public broadcaster NHK, he explained to Trump the number of Japanese car manufacturers were creating jobs in the United States.

The 2 did not specifically talk about car tariffs, hb9lc.org Ishiba said, although he said he did not know whether Japan would undergo the reciprocal tariffs that Trump has actually said he plans to enforce on imports.

Tokyo has up until now left the trade war Trump let loose in his first weeks in workplace. He has actually announced tariffs on items from Canada, Mexico and China, although he held off the 25% tasks on his North American neighbours to enable for talks.

The intensifying trade stress considering that Trump went back to the White House on January 20 threaten to rupture the worldwide economy.

Ishiba said he thinks Trump "acknowledged the fact Japan has actually been the world's biggest investor in the United States for five straight years, and is therefore various from other countries."

"Japan is producing lots of U.S. jobs. I believe (Washington) will not go straight to the idea of greater tariffs," he said.

Ishiba voiced optimism that Japan and users.atw.hu the U.S. can avoid a tit-for-tat tariff war, worrying that tariffs should be put in place in a manner that "advantages both sides".

"Any action that makes use of or leaves out the other side will not last," Ishiba said. "The question is whether there is any issue between Japan and the United States that warrants imposing greater tariffs," he added.

Japan had the highest foreign direct investment in the United States in 2023 at $783.3 billion, followed by Canada and Germany, according to the most current U.S. Commerce Department data.

Trump pressed Ishiba to close Japan's $68.5 billion annual trade surplus with Washington however revealed optimism this might be done rapidly, given a pledge by Ishiba to bring Japanese investment in the U.S. to $1 trillion.

On Sunday, Ishiba identified liquefied gas, steel, AI and users.atw.hu autos as areas that Japanese business could buy.

He also discussed Trump's promise to take a look at Nippon Steel purchasing U.S. Steel, as opposed to buying the storied American business - a prepared purchase opposed by Trump and obstructed by his predecessor, Joe Biden.

"Investment is being made to make sure that it remains an American business. It will continue to operate under American management, with American staff members," Ishiba said. "The bottom line is how to guarantee it remains an American business. From President Trump's perspective, this is of utmost value."

On military spending, another area where Trump has actually pressed allies for boosts, Ishiba said Japan would not increase its defence budget plan without first winning public support. "It is important to ensure that what is deemed essential is something the taxpayers can understand and support," he said. (Reporting by Leika Kihara: Additional reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by William Mallard)