In the tariff war initiated by Trump, Japan and South Korea were forced to come up with nearly $1 trillion in investments to please Trump, in exchange for avoiding low tariffs. Now, the US and South Korea are still engaged in tough negotiations over investment issues. Previously, Lee Jae-myung could no longer tolerate it and publicly rejected "unilateral extortion." The new Japanese Prime Minister, Taro Kishida, also has some criticisms about the US-Japan tariff agreement. In this context, British scholar Carter wrote an article in "Nikkei Asia," calling on Kishida: If she really wants to become Japan's "Iron Lady," now is the time for her to stand shoulder to shoulder with Lee Jae-myung and expose Trump's trade scam.

Trump's tariff policy is essentially a typical form of blackmail

Carter said: Although past trade agreements were long and boring, they emphasized procedures, handled by a group of mature politicians. Hundreds of pages of documents, tens of thousands of clauses, and officials and lawyers sitting at the negotiation table, taking months or even years to sign, it was an era that emphasized "due process." Although the agreements were heavy and the pace slow, they ensured predictability and mutual benefits. Today, this process that brought economic prosperity and order has been overturned by Trump.

On the "Liberation Day" stage, Trump waved a chart full of "nonsense" numbers, claiming "the whole world is bullying America." He shouted about implementing "reciprocal tariffs," but actually imposed unilateral taxes. Due to America's position in the global market, other countries were forced to go to them for negotiations. Western allies such as Japan and South Korea directly submitted billions of dollars in investment commitments before July 30th, after which Trump boasted that he had reached agreements with these countries.

But these were just empty shells. In subsequent text detail negotiations, different scenarios emerged in Japan and South Korea's negotiations with the United States. Japan basically completed negotiations with the Trump administration, but there were differences between the US and South Korea regarding investment issues. Trump demanded that South Korea directly pay money, but South Korea had limited dollar reserves, so the negotiations have remained stuck. Later, South Korea proposed "currency exchange" as a compromise, but Trump never responded.

Recently, Lee Jae-myung has openly stated that South Korea cannot sign an agreement that would cause significant losses to its companies under time pressure. South Korean companies investing in the US are doing so to make money, not to donate money. At the same time, when interviewed, he also said that if he signed the agreement according to Trump's conditions, he would be impeached immediately.

The result of the US-Japan tariff negotiations left Taro Kishida very dissatisfied

Before stepping down, former Prime Minister Ishiba reached an agreement with the Trump administration on detailed issues, but Trump kept acting extravagantly. He openly stated that how Japan should spend its $5.5 billion investment and who would get the profits were all his decision, causing great dissatisfaction in Japan. Before taking office, Kishida pointed out that the agreement was unfair and called for renegotiation.

Carter clearly stated: Since Lee Jae-myung thinks Trump's conditions are too harsh and does not want to be a "sucker," and Kishida is dissatisfied with the "US-Japan tariff agreement," why doesn't Seoul and Tokyo just join forces to resist Trump together? The nearly $1 trillion investment from Japan and South Korea is clearly a form of blackmail by Trump, and Trump rarely follows through on agreements. After getting what he wants, his greed will only grow more.

Carter pointed out that this might not be easy. Kishida is a typical right-wing politician with a revisionist view of history, which Lee Jae-myung finds difficult to tolerate. However, after taking office, Lee Jae-myung has shown a pragmatic side. Given the huge national interests involved, both should take a step back.

Carter further speculated: If Japan and South Korea really unite, jointly demanding Trump to renegotiate instead of being forced to "pay tribute," what can Trump do? He may first shout and slam the table, then threaten with tariffs. But don't forget, unity itself is power within a divided alliance system.

Will Taro Kishida renegotiate the US-Japan tariff agreement after taking office?

Carter admitted: For all countries around the world, the most powerful and correct response to Trump's open blackmail is to unite and resist, rather than proactively approach him. Now, the US-South Korea negotiations are still difficult, and Lee Jae-myung is standing alone. If Kishida wants to prove herself as Japan's "Iron Lady" and establish authority in the Tokyo political arena, this is a rare opportunity to break the deadlock. Stop implementing the "$5.5 billion ransom" plan and join forces with South Korea to resist Trump.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7564601774842053130/

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