- PM Ishiba hints at the possibility of buying more U.S. energy.
- Finmin and Treasury officials.
- Kato excludes use The US Treasury Department serves as a bargaining tool.
Tokyo: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said his country will emphasize “fairness” in any discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration regarding exchange rates, as bilateral trade negotiations have attracted global attention in Washington’s tariff offensive.
Ishiba, on a public broadcaster’s talk show NHKsaid Tokyo could buy more U.S. energy and suggested that the charges against U.S. non-tariff barriers against the Japanese auto market were flexible.
Trump unexpectedly joined the first round of U.S.-Japan talks on Wednesday and touted “big progress,” saying he hoped the talks would include his allegations that Tokyo intends to weaken its currency to give exporters an unfair advantage.
Ishiba said that a specific discussion on monetary policy will be held between Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato and Finance Minister Scott Bessent.
When asked if the United States calls for cooperation to promote the yen, we must deal with this from a fair perspective. ”He did not elaborate.
Japan, which denies coping with the yen, has been working for years to stop the yen from damaging its export-dependent economy, but has stepped into the forex market for the last time last year to boost its currency.
Gato plans to visit Washington this week to attend a panel of 20 Finance Ministers, arguing by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) spring meeting. It is widely believed that he will meet in bilateral trade negotiations.
U.S. energy imports
Some analysts say Japan could use its massive U.S. Treasury holdings (the world’s largest $1 trillion) as trade leverage, but Kato ruled out using it as a negotiation tool this month.
When asked if Japan would mention its U.S. debt holdings in the negotiations, Ibon said: “This is based on the trust between the two sides, the stability of the global economy and the stability of the two countries.”
Trump’s tariffs on exports to the United States reached Japan, although like most Trump’s taxes, they were suspended until early July. The same goes for the remaining 10% versatility, as well as the 25% auto duties on the backbone of the economy that relies on exports to Japan.
Nickki Asia reported on Sunday that Japan is considering importing car safety rules as part of its tariff negotiations with Washington, U.S., and has long complained that Japan’s safety rules are non-released obstacles, while Japan and many experts say Detroit automakers are not suitable for Japanese roads and drivers.
When asked about such allegations, Isbon said it must be taken into account that there are differences in traffic and safety rules in the United States and Japan. “But we also need to make sure we don’t tell us that the (safety) rules are unfair.”
He said he was ready to guarantee Japan’s investment in the United States, especially in the energy sector.
“As for LNG, Australia is Japan’s largest exporter. I believe the United States is fourth. We may increase this increase. The question is whether the United States can deliver it. [energy] Stablize. ” he said.
