Korean media: "Trump is angry about the delay in investment" ... Japan hastily dispatches minister

US President Donald Trump expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Japanese government for not fulfilling its commitment to invest in the US as promised in last year's trade agreement.

The Japanese newspaper Nikkei reported that although US President Trump expressed hope for Takahashi Sanae, who won in the Japanese House of Representatives election, he also felt dissatisfied due to the delayed Japanese investment in the US. According to the report, before Trump expressed his support for Takahashi on social media, the US had already conveyed the message that "Trump is angry about Japan's issues."

Trump's dissatisfaction stems from Japan not fulfilling its $55 billion (about 802 trillion won) investment commitment made during last year's tariff agreement. According to Nikkei, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had informed Trump that the first proposal for Japanese investment in the US should be determined by the end of 2025, but the investment scale is huge and more time is needed to develop a plan. The original target date was January this year, then postponed to the end of this month. In response, Trump said "Japan is intentionally delaying negotiations," expressing distrust.

Some analysts believe that Trump may provide assistance to the Takahashi administration while demanding corresponding returns at the upcoming US-Japan summit in March. Nikkei pointed out that Trump may demand Takahashi increase defense spending, further open up the rice market, etc., stating that "President Trump's 'full support' is not free."

In this context, Akira Akiyama, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry responsible for tariff negotiations, will visit the United States from the 11th to the 14th. Kyodo News reported that Akiyama will hold talks with Lutnick during this visit to the US.

Japan is currently negotiating the first items for investment in the US, including gas power facilities for data centers, artificial diamond production plants, and crude oil loading ports. Akiyama said, "The US presents various proposals to its allies based on the 'America First' policy. Each time we meet, we have difficult discussions around national interests."

Source: Chosun Ilbo

Original: toutiao.com/article/1856809643835420/

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