Ishiba to urge Trump to sign order to cut auto tariffs
The Lower House budget committee debated the bilateral tariff agreement and other issues on Monday, with Ishiba and Japan's top tariff negotiator, Akazawa Ryosei, in attendance.
Yamashita Takashi, former justice minister of the main governing Liberal Democratic Party, said the principle of investment rather than tariffs has become the standard for Trump's tariff measures. He cited an agreement between the US and the European Union as one example.
Yamashita asked Ishiba to explain the significance of the Japan-US deal.
The prime minister said both countries will bring their technology, labor forces and capital together to offer better things to the world, with jobs created in the US and no job losses in Japan. He said it will be a "win-win relationship."
Ishiba said some people think that implementing the agreement will be more difficult than reaching it. He asked for continued support.
Yamashita referred to an agreement between the ruling and opposition blocs to abolish the provisional gasoline tax rate this year. He asked Ishiba whether he ordered the move as the LDP leader.
Ishiba said he did, adding that the government will do all it can to implement the agreement on the tax rate sincerely, steadily and swiftly.
The leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, Noda Yoshihiko, said a document was created for the 2019 Japan-US trade agreement, but it was effectively scrapped.
He said the Trump administration may stretch the interpretation of the recent bilateral agreement and "keep ripping Japan off" if a document is not produced.
Ishiba said the US president is the type of person who changes rules. He said his major concern is that drawing up a document would lead to a delay in tariff cuts.
Ishiba said Trump should focus on issuing an executive order to cut auto tariffs, which is most important for national interests. He said he decided not to draw up a document after carefully considering what will be best for Japan.
Noda also took up the topic of political reform. He said his party has been calling for banning donations from companies and organizations.
Noda said the largest force and the second largest force in the Diet should sincerely discuss the matter, reach a conclusion and ask for support from other parties. He expressed hope that Ishiba will hold talks on the issue with him rather than leaving it to people at the working level to reach an agreement.
Ishiba said he will try to discuss essential issues with Noda and share the results with other parties to ensure fairness and prevent money from swaying politics.
Ishiba also referred to a message he intends to issue to mark 80 years since the end of World War Two. He said that regardless of the format, it is necessary to release the message to prevent memories from fading and war from breaking out again.
Ishiba said he has strong feelings about the issue and will try to draw up a better message that reflects a range of views.
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