Japanese Prime Minister Denies Imposing Retaliatory Tariffs on the U.S., Expected to Hold Telephone Talks with Trump Next Week
In a program of Yomiuri TV Station on May 5th, Japanese Prime Minister Shinichi Abe expressed hope to hold telephone talks with President Trump "within next week" regarding the U.S. announcement of implementing "reciprocal tariffs" and imposing additional tariffs on automobiles. He also stated that Japan will not impose retaliatory tariffs on the United States. According to relevant personnel of the Japanese government, the telephone talks are being coordinated to be held at the beginning of next week.
Regarding whether Japan will impose retaliatory tariffs on the United States, Shinichi Abe said, "Various options are under consideration, but as Japan is the largest investor in the United States, unlike those countries that neither invest in the U.S. nor create jobs, we do not intend to respond in kind." He denied the possibility of taking retaliatory tariff measures against the United States. He said, "What would happen to the world economy if we retaliate with each other's tariffs and counter-tariffs?" Prime Minister Shinichi Abe hopes to explain to Trump through telephone talks the investment achievements of Japan in the U.S. and its efforts in creating jobs, seeking his understanding and urging him to reconsider the tariff measures.
He also expressed his intention to hold telephone talks with Trump, stating, "What we should discuss is how to create more American jobs and how to make these also become benefits for Japan, rather than making emotional responses such as retaliatory tariffs."
Prime Minister Shinichi Abe hopes to propose specific solutions in the talks. He said, "Saying 'please just exclude Japan' won't work." He hopes to put forward investment plans in the U.S. and other proposals as an "overall plan" during negotiations.
Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1828643176913932/
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