Trump, Ishiba hold first phone call since April, discuss tariffs, future talks

TOKYO, JAPAN:  US President Donald Trump initiated a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and discussed tariffs in general terms, just as Tokyo’s top negotiator left for the US for another round of trade talks.

Trump didn’t say anything specific about tariffs while Ishiba reiterated Japan’s existing stance over the levies during a 45-minute meeting, the prime minister told reporters on Friday in Tokyo.

The two agreed they’re looking forward to meeting in person at a Group of Seven leaders’ gathering in June in Canada, Ishiba said.

The phone call between the two leaders was the first since early April when the US ramped up its tariffs against nations around the world including Japan. The call signalled the Asian nation still has the attention of the president although it appears to be failing behind other countries in striking a trade deal.

“We have consistently requested the removal of tariff measures, and our position remains unchanged,” Ishiba said. “The president has made no specific mention of this matter.”

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Ishiba and Trump discussed a wide range of topics including tariff negotiations, economic security cooperation, diplomacy and national security, with the president also explaining the results of his recent Middle East visit, the prime minister said.

“In terms of why the meeting took place now, I can’t simply ask Trump why,” Ishiba said. “He visited the Middle East and I think we have reaffirmed our commitment to continue cooperating between Japan and US including on economic security issues.”

During the call Ishiba said he conveyed his hope that an upcoming meeting between his hand-picked top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa and his counterparts will be constructive. Akazawa left for the US on Friday for a third round of trade talks.

As with other nations, Trump has slapped Japan with a 25 percent levy on autos, steel and aluminum and a 10 percent across-the-board tariff. The so-called reciprocal tariff is set to be raised to 24 percent in early July, barring a trade deal.

Cars and auto parts comprise around a third of all exports to the US from Japan. The auto industry is a key driver of growth for Japan’s economy and employs around 8 percent of the work force.