Ishiba states no talk with Trump on vehicle tariffs at summit

Trump recognises Japan's US substantial investment, task development

LNG, steel, AI and automobiles are areas Japan can invest in US

Nippon Steel will operate under US management, staff

Japan will not raise defence spending without public support

TOKYO, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba revealed optimism on Sunday that his nation could prevent greater U.S. tariffs, stating President Donald Trump had "recognised" Japan's huge financial investment in the U.S. and the that it develops.

At his first White House top on Friday, Ishiba informed public broadcaster NHK, he explained to Trump how many Japanese automakers were producing tasks in the United States.

The 2 did not specifically go over car tariffs, Ishiba said, although he said he did not understand whether Japan would undergo the reciprocal tariffs that Trump has actually said he prepares to impose on imports.

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

The intensifying trade tensions because Trump went back to the White House on January 20 threaten to rupture the global economy.

Ishiba said he believes Trump "identified 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 numerous U.S. jobs. I believe (Washington) will not go straight to the concept 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 ought to be put in place in a manner that "benefits both sides".

"Any action that makes use of or excludes the opposite won't last," Ishiba said. "The concern is whether there is any problem in between Japan and the United States that calls for enforcing higher tariffs," he added.

Japan had the greatest 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 information.

Trump pressed Ishiba to close Japan's $68.5 billion yearly trade surplus with Washington however revealed optimism this could be done quickly, wiki.asexuality.org given a promise by Ishiba to bring Japanese investment in the U.S. to $1 trillion.

On Sunday, Ishiba determined liquefied gas, steel, AI and cars as locations that Japanese companies could buy.

He also touched on Trump's promise to take a look at Nippon Steel buying U.S. Steel, rather than 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 run under American management, with American workers," Ishiba said. "The bottom line is how to ensure it remains an American business. From President Trump's viewpoint, this is of utmost importance."

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