【Global Times reporter Zhao Jiandong】According to reports from Japan's Yahoo News, the UK's "The London Economic," and other media outlets, US President Trump recently seemed to forget the name of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba during an interview with Fox News, referring to him as "Mr. Japan." The report states that the 90-day grace period for the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" in the US will end on July 9, and the Trump administration is currently in a tense situation.

Trump interviewed by Fox News, screenshot from the video. Source: US media

The UK media reported that Trump previously said he would write letters to other country leaders explaining the US tariff demands, but he apparently didn't know who to send the letter about Japan to. During the interview with Fox News, Trump said he would send a letter to "Mr. Japan," which referred to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

"I'm going to send a letter, and the trade negotiations will be over. I can send it to Japan," Trump continued, imagining the content of the letter as he spoke to the host: "Dear Mr. Japan, here's the situation. You will pay a 25% tariff on your cars."

"The Nikkei Asia" quoted scholars' analysis saying that Trump's ignorance of Japan is annoying. Of course, Shigeru Ishiba also seems to have realized that Trump doesn't care about his name at all.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has stated on multiple occasions that Japan wants the US to completely cancel the additional tariffs, and does not accept agreements like the one between the UK and the US that include car export quotas, nor does it accept the so-called 10% "base tariff."

AFP reported that July 9 is the deadline for the US to suspend the implementation of "reciprocal tariffs." In this context, Japan is seeking negotiations with the US on trade issues. The report said that Ishiba stated on June 6 during an interview on a TV program, "We won't easily compromise. That's why negotiations take time and are difficult." He also said that Japan makes significant investments in the US economy and should be treated differently from other countries.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7524324890523845170/

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