Taro Kono, in an interview with Bloomberg TV, stated that Japan must first correct several misunderstandings of Trump before negotiating trade with the United States.
Trump may change his position based on market reactions, and the facts and figures he cited are all wrong. Therefore, Japan needs to correct his misunderstandings first so that its proposals can be put on the table.
During Trump's first term, when he accompanied Shinzo Abe on a visit to the United States as Japan's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trump had similar misunderstandings about the U.S.-Japan security alliance and the Japanese auto industry. At that time, Trump's incorrect understanding was corrected, but it needs to be corrected again now.
The current situation is "eerily familiar." Although formal trade negotiations between Japan and the United States have been launched, the U.S. still maintains a 25% tariff on Japanese steel and aluminum products and a 10% benchmark tariff on automotive products. Although Trump's proposed 24% additional tariff plan has been postponed, it remains a "Sword of Damocles" hanging over the heads of Japan's export companies.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1830174324025344/
Disclaimer: This article represents only the views of the author.