Tokyo, 20 April (IANS). Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Sunday that it would not be appropriate to discuss security and trade together with the US.
The Japanese Prime Minister said at the local TV program, “I don’t think it is appropriate to discuss security and business together. We should solve security issues without connecting them with tariffs.” This was said by his close aide a few days after his meeting with Trump and senior American officials on the recently increased tariff.
Regarding the conversation, the Prime Minister said, “They should have an acceptable result for both sides. We want to take the time required to make a model for the world.”
He reiterated that he would visit the US on the ‘most suitable time’.
He said that he (Trump) considers reducing American trade deficit with other countries as his top priority. The Prime Minister also promised to assess Japan’s automobile rules to facilitate talks with the US.
The Prime Minister said, “We will work hard to ensure that Japan is not accused of improper behavior.”
Expressing concern over the negative effects of tariff growth between the US-China, Ishiba assured that Japan would promote cooperation with the organization of South East Asian countries and the European Union as pioneers in free trade.
Earlier this week, Minister in charge of Japan’s economic revival, Akajawa Ryosai, visited the US and held a meeting on ‘American Tariff Measures on Japan-American Consultation’ regarding US tariff measures with President Trump, US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant and others.
Later, addressing a press conference regarding the meeting, PM Ishiba said that further consultations would remain challenging, but President Trump himself said that he gives top priority to consultation with Japan.
-IANS
SCH/CBT
