’Investment, not tariffs,’ says Japan PM after phone talks with Trump earlier than third spherical of talks

 Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated on Friday (May 23, 2025) that he held phone talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and agreed to carry “productive” discussions at an upcoming tariff talks between the 2 sides.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated on Friday (May 23, 2025) that he held phone talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and agreed to carry “productive” discussions at an upcoming tariff talks between the two sides.

“Investment, not tariffs,” Mr. Ishiba informed reporters after the talks. He stated Japan’s place to maintain pushing Washington to drop all current tariff measures is unchanged and that he stands by plans to push for Japanese funding to create extra jobs within the U.S. in change.

The two leaders held talks simply after Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s chief tariff negotiator, headed to Washington for a 3rd spherical of talks along with his U.S. counterparts. In the sooner rounds of talks, the U.S. had not agreed to the Japanese requests.

Mr. Ishiba stated he reminded Mr. Trump that Japan’s place was for the U.S. administration to scrap all current tariffs on imports from Japan, to which the U.S. president made no particular response.

“I expressed my expectations for productive discussion to be held, and we agreed,” Ishiba informed reporters.

The U.S. is charging a 25% tariff on imports of autos, a mainstay of Japan’s commerce with the U.S. and a key driver of development for the financial system. Mr. Trump has relaxed a few of these tariffs however has saved in place larger tariffs on metal and aluminum.

Friday’s talks have been requested by Mr. Trump and the 2 leaders mentioned about 45 minutes on vary of subjects that additionally included safety cooperation between the 2 allies and the U.S. president’s current go to to the Middle East, Ishiba stated.

He stated the 2 leaders additionally agreed to carry talks after they each attend the Group of Seven summit in Canada subsequent month.