**Tokyo:** Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced that security matters will be excluded from trade negotiations with the US, amidst heightened talks addressing tariffs and the US trade deficit. Japan aims to balance agricultural protection with liberalisation and strengthen global free trade cooperation.
In recent developments regarding Japan–United States trade relations, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has stated that his government will deliberately exclude security matters from trade negotiations with the U.S. This declaration comes amid heightened discussions sparked by President Donald Trump’s calls for a reduction in the U.S. burden of defending Japan.
Speaking on a television programme on Sunday, Ishiba asserted, “I don’t think it is appropriate to discuss security and trade together. We should address security issues without linking them to tariffs.” His comments follow a meeting last week in Washington between Japan’s economic revitalization minister and chief tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa and senior American officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The talks primarily focused on the recently increased U.S. levies impacting bilateral trade.
Ishiba also indicated that addressing the U.S. trade deficit, an issue President Trump has prioritised, will be a central aim in the negotiations. He pledged to review Japan’s automobile regulations to facilitate progress, stating, “We will work hard to ensure that Japan is not accused of being unfair.” However, he refrained from discussing crucial topics such as foreign exchange rates and Japan’s holdings of U.S. Treasury securities at this stage.
Regarding the timeline for concluding trade talks, Ishiba emphasised a cautious approach, saying, “They must produce a desirable outcome for both sides. We want to take the necessary time to create a model for the world.” He also revealed plans to visit the United States “at the most appropriate time” to further engage in discussions.
Addressing agricultural market liberalisation, Ishiba highlighted the government’s intention to balance the provision of affordable, high-quality products with the protection of domestic farmers, whose numbers have diminished due to demographic trends including a declining birthrate.
In the broader context of global trade, Ishiba reiterated Japan’s leadership role in free trade, underscoring efforts to strengthen cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union. He expressed concerns about the adverse consequences stemming from the escalating tit-for-tat tariff measures between the United States and China.
Further diplomatic engagements are on the horizon, with arrangements underway for a meeting between Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato and Treasury Secretary Bessent in Washington. This meeting, expected to take place on Thursday, coincides with Kato’s attendance at the Group of 20 (G20) finance ministers’ gathering beginning Wednesday, held alongside the spring meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Potential discussion points include foreign exchange matters, an area in which Bessent, a former hedge fund manager and billionaire, has expressed readiness to address.
The Kyodo News Plus is reporting these latest developments as part of ongoing efforts to navigate the complex interplay between trade negotiations, security arrangements, and global economic dynamics.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Subscribe to Industry Updates
