Ishiba states no talk with Trump on vehicle tariffs at summit

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

LNG, steel, AI and automobiles are locations Japan can purchase US

Nippon Steel will run under US management, personnel

Japan will not raise defence spending without public support

TOKYO, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba revealed optimism on Sunday that his country might avoid greater U.S. tariffs, saying President Donald Trump had "acknowledged" Japan's substantial financial investment in the U.S. and higgledy-piggledy.xyz the American jobs that it develops.

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

The 2 did not particularly discuss vehicle tariffs, Ishiba said, although he said he did not know whether Japan would undergo the reciprocal tariffs that Trump has said he plans to trouble imports.

Tokyo has so far got away the trade war Trump unleashed in his very first weeks in workplace. He has announced tariffs on products from Canada, Mexico and China, although he delayed the 25% responsibilities on his North American neighbours to permit talks.

The escalating trade tensions since Trump returned to the White House on January 20 threaten to burst the global economy.

Ishiba said he believes Trump "identified the fact Japan has actually been the world's largest financier in the United States for five straight years, and is for that reason various from other nations."

"Japan is creating lots of U.S. jobs. I believe (Washington) won't go straight to the idea of greater tariffs," he said.

Ishiba voiced optimism that Japan and the U.S. can prevent a tit-for-tat tariff war, that tariffs should be put in location in a manner that "advantages both sides".

"Any action that makes use of or excludes the other side won't last," Ishiba said. "The concern is whether there is any issue in between Japan and the United States that warrants imposing higher tariffs," he included.

Japan had the greatest foreign direct financial 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 could be done rapidly, offered a pledge by Ishiba to bring Japanese investment in the U.S. to $1 trillion.

On Sunday, Ishiba identified liquefied natural gas, steel, AI and vehicles as areas that Japanese companies might buy.

He also touched on Trump's promise to take a look at Nippon Steel investing in U.S. Steel, instead of buying the storied American company - a prepared purchase opposed by Trump and blocked by his predecessor, Joe Biden.

"Investment is being made to guarantee 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 ensure it remains an American company. From President Trump's point of view, this is of utmost significance."

On military costs, another location where Trump has actually pressed allies for increases, wiki.rolandradio.net Ishiba said Japan would not increase its defence spending plan without first winning public support. "It is essential to guarantee that what is deemed required is something the taxpayers can comprehend and support," he said. (Reporting by Leika Kihara: Additional reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by William Mallard)