On the 16th local time, negotiations between US and Japanese government officials on tariff issues were held in Washington. "President Trump suddenly announced his participation", "the negotiation venue was moved from the US Treasury to the White House", and "Trump raised the issue of Japan's burden for the cost of maintaining US troops stationed in Japan", adding drama to this negotiation. After the negotiation ended, Trump posted on social media that significant progress had been made, but public opinion generally believed that the first round of negotiations between the US and Japan on tariff issues did not achieve substantial progress. AFP reported that Japan failed to obtain any tariff exemption from the US, making it clear that there would be no immediate breakthrough. Reuters reported that both sides expressed goodwill, but apart from agreeing to meet again, little progress was made. On the 17th, Prime Minister Shiroyama stated that future negotiations "would not be easy", "there are gaps between Japan and the US", but "President Trump has indicated that he hopes the negotiations with Japan will become a top priority." According to a commentary by Kyodo News, Trump personally participating in the negotiation was rare, exposing his eager desire to reach an agreement.

"Shocked the Japanese delegation"

According to AFP reports, although the US government recently announced a 90-day deferral of "reciprocal tariffs" for Japan and dozens of other countries and regions, Japan still faces a 10% baseline tariff, a 25% automobile tariff, and steel and aluminum tariffs. As a major automobile exporting country, these have increased Japan's pain. According to the plan, Japanese Minister for Economic Revitalization Akira Akazawa arrived in Washington on the morning of the 16th Eastern Time, held talks with US Treasury Secretary Bessette and US Trade Representative Greer in the afternoon. Analysts said before the negotiation, observers were "waiting to see if Akira Akazawa could skillfully maneuver and reach a deal to avoid Trump's heavy blows, leaving bruised but not shattered."

According to reports by The New York Times and others, on the morning of the 16th, Trump suddenly announced through social media that he would personally participate in the negotiation with the Japanese delegation, stating that the negotiation would include "(US military support costs for Japan)," meaning he would urge Japan to bear more costs for the approximately 50,000 US troops stationed in Japan. According to The Yomiuri Shimbun, this announcement shocked the Japanese delegation and caused concern domestically. Japan had planned for Akira Akazawa to listen to the US demands first, study the negotiation chips in detail after returning home. Negotiation insiders worried that Trump's personal involvement would disrupt Japan's original plan and lead the negotiation into Trump's rhythm. However, some optimists believed: "Direct talks with the president may proceed faster than ministerial-level negotiations."

In the evening of the 16th Japan time, Prime Minister Shiroyama urgently convened Chief Cabinet Secretary Ryohei Hayashi and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Prime Minister's Office to discuss countermeasures. Ryohei Hayashi told reporters after the meeting: "We made various preparations for President Trump's attendance (of the negotiation) and communicated with Minister Akazawa." Subsequently, Shiroyama expressed thanks to Trump on social platform X in English and Japanese, stating "looking forward to a fruitful discussion." Thus, the originally planned meeting at the US Treasury was rearranged at the White House.

Japanese representative criticized as "too humble"

According to NHK TV and other Japanese media reports, Akira Akazawa's talks with Trump at the White House lasted about 50 minutes. Akazawa conveyed Prime Minister Shiroyama's wish to strengthen the economic relationship between Japan and the US as soon as possible. In response, Trump elaborated on his stance in the international economic landscape and his views on tariff policies, stating that "consultations with Japan are the top priority." Related Japanese government sources revealed that Trump requested Japan to increase defense spending.

Subsequently, Akira Akazawa continued to hold ministerial-level negotiations with the US Treasury Secretary and others at the White House, lasting about 75 minutes. Akazawa expressed regret over the US imposing additional tariffs on Japan, stating that such measures might affect Japan's future investments in the US and local employment in the US, strongly urging the US to revoke them. Both parties reached a consensus through their talks: they would push forward the negotiation with frankness and constructive attitudes, aiming to reach an agreement as soon as possible and have the leaders of both countries announce it; they would coordinate schedules for the next round of ministerial-level consultations this month; besides ministerial-level negotiations, they would also continue pushing forward staff-level consultations.

According to reports by Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), Akazawa, after the press conference following his talks with the US side, said: "I am so low in status, yet I received an audience with Trump, for which I am truly grateful." His attitude sparked controversy online in Japan. Some Japanese netizens thought he was too humble. A netizen commented: "The cabinet minister of a country expressing such humility at the beginning of international negotiations will make the other party push for more concessions. He should understand that the US does not regard humility as a virtue. This is really worrying. Facing the US, we hope there will be no situation where we fully accept the other party's demands." Others said: "Even in international negotiations, a humble attitude won't spare you from the opponent's full force." "As a negotiator representing Japan, how can you think of yourself as 'lowly'? He has fallen into Trump's trap. Is everything okay? Since representing Japan, one should not let the US perceive you as a 'nobody'."

Is the US eager to reach an agreement?

Under the influence of the US-Japan tariff negotiations, the Japanese stock market rose slightly on the 17th. According to an analysis by Kyodo News, Japan's initiation of consultations with the US among major countries has become the focus of attention. Whether the two sides can find an appropriate compromise point has become the focal point of everyone's attention. Trump's personal appearance to meet representatives of lower levels than himself is rare. This move reflects the US side's strong willingness to achieve specific results in the short term. For the US, whether tariffs can be used as a bargaining chip to pressure Japan to give way has become a litmus test for future negotiations with various countries and regions.

The New York Times published an article on the 17th stating that Trump's first face-to-face tariff negotiation was chosen with Japan. Glenn Fukushima, a former US trade official who has observed US-Japan relations for over 40 years, said: "Trump's behavior towards Japan seems contradictory, but actually very consistent. He admires and respects Japan, believing that Japan is very clever in deceiving Americans."

The Financial Times of the UK stated that among several countries queuing up to negotiate with the US, Japan was at the top of the list, becoming a "laboratory rat." Various parties will analyze how the Trump administration negotiates and how tough it will be during the US-Japan negotiations. Japan's economy heavily relies on exports. Once a global recession occurs or the rules of the current international economic system are affected, Japan will inevitably be impacted. The US choosing Treasury Secretary Bessette to negotiate with Japan indicates that the US side values the low yen issue. Additionally, the US hopes that Japan can assist in stabilizing the US Treasury market. Japan is an important participant in the US Treasury market, holding $1.1 trillion in foreign exchange reserves.

Source: Global Network

Editor: u028

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7494463399640711731/

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