’Funding, not tariffs,’ says Japan PM after phone talks with Trump earlier than third spherical of talks

 Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba mentioned on Friday (Could 23, 2025) that he held phone talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and agreed to carry “productive” discussions at an upcoming tariff talks between the 2 sides.
| Photograph Credit score: Reuters

Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba mentioned on Friday (Could 23, 2025) that he held phone talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and agreed to carry “productive” discussions at an upcoming tariff talks between the 2 sides.

“Funding, not tariffs,” Mr. Ishiba advised reporters after the talks. He mentioned Japan’s place to maintain pushing Washington to drop all current tariff measures is unchanged and that he stands by plans to push for Japanese funding to create extra jobs within the U.S. in alternate.

The 2 leaders held talks simply after Financial Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s chief tariff negotiator, headed to Washington for a 3rd spherical of talks along with his U.S. counterparts. Within the earlier rounds of talks, the U.S. had not agreed to the Japanese requests.

Mr. Ishiba mentioned he reminded Mr. Trump that Japan’s place was for the U.S. administration to scrap all current tariffs on imports from Japan, to which the U.S. president made no particular response.

“I expressed my expectations for productive dialogue to be held, and we agreed,” Ishiba advised reporters.

The U.S. is charging a 25% tariff on imports of autos, a mainstay of Japan’s commerce with the U.S. and a key driver of development for the financial system. Mr. Trump has relaxed a few of these tariffs however has saved in place increased tariffs on metal and aluminum.

Friday’s talks had been requested by Mr. Trump and the 2 leaders mentioned about 45 minutes on vary of subjects that additionally included safety cooperation between the 2 allies and the U.S. president’s current go to to the Center East, Ishiba mentioned.

He mentioned the 2 leaders additionally agreed to carry talks after they each attend the Group of Seven summit in Canada subsequent month.