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Yomiuri Shimbun
11 hours ago
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Ishiba, Trump Fail to Reach Deal on U.S. Tariffs at G7 Summit in Canada; Agree to Keep Negotiating
Courtesy of Cabinet Public Affairs Office Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump meet on the sidelines of the Group of Seven leaders' summit in Kananaskis, Canada, on Monday. BANFF/KANANASKIS, Canada — Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba failed to reach an agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump over the U.S. president's tariff policy at a meeting in Canada on Monday, as differences still remain between Tokyo and Washington, mainly regarding tariffs on automobiles. The two leaders only agreed to have their negotiating teams continue discussions. Ishiba had hoped to reach a tentative agreement with Trump during the meeting. However, since no agreement was achieved, the timing for when a deal will materialize is uncertain. The meeting took place in the western Canadian region of Kananaskis on the sidelines of a summit of the Group of Seven (G7) leaders, and it lasted about 30 minutes. 'Points that the two sides cannot find common ground on still remain,' Ishiba told reporters after the meeting. 'So, we have not reached an agreement on the package as a whole.' Ishiba did not specify the differences that persist, only saying, 'I cannot comment on that.' The prime minister said that future talks would focus on 'making adjustments to reach an agreement that can benefit both Japan and the United States,' emphasizing that the United States' change of tariff policy on 'automobiles is a major national interest for Japan.' Ishiba added, 'We will make every effort to protect our national interests.' Tokyo has presented a package of proposals, including an increase in imports of U.S. agricultural products and stronger economic security cooperation between the two countries, in order to draw concessions from Washington during the series of tariff negotiations. However, the two sides have been unable to agree on the structure for revising additional tariffs on automobiles, a situation that is believed to have been one of the reasons for the failure in the Ishiba-Trump talks. The Japanese and U.S. governments have held six rounds of ministerial-level talks. Within the Japanese government, there is a growing view that the final decision rests with Trump. Given that the talks, which the prime minister described as 'frank and open,' failed to gain a positive response from Trump, Tokyo is likely to be forced to rethink its strategy. Ishiba and Trump are scheduled to attend a North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit to be held in the Netherlands on June 24 and 25, but it is unclear whether they will be able to secure time for bilateral talks. The prime minister said that it is difficult to set a deadline for reaching an agreement because it depends on the other side, indicating his intention to continue negotiations without setting a deadline. Also during the talks, the two leaders reconfirmed their commitment to promoting the free and open Indo-Pacific vision and strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance. After the talks, when asked by reporters about the meeting with Ishiba, Trump replied that they were good.
Asahi Shimbun
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- Asahi Shimbun
No breakthrough in Ishiba-Trump talks in Canada on U.S. tariffs
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba with U.S. President Donald Trump in Kananaskis, Canada, on June 16 (Provided by the Cabinet Public Affairs Office) KANANASKIS, Canada—Despite intense efforts in laying the groundwork for a breakthrough, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba failed to clinch a deal on removing U.S. tariffs at his second face-to-face meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. 'Issues remain where we do not share an understanding, and an agreement has yet to be reached as to the entire package,' Ishiba told reporters here on June 16 after an approximately 30-minute meeting on the sidelines of a Group of Seven summit. The Ishiba administration hoped to strike an interim accord on tariffs during the meeting and conclude negotiations in early July, around the time when official campaigning will start for the Upper House election, which will be held July 20. The outcome of the Japan-U.S. summit has clouded prospects of that scenario. Ishiba, who first met with Trump in Washington in February, said he had a candid conversation with the U.S. president and that they agreed to instruct their ministers to continue discussions. Ryosei Akazawa, minister in charge of economic revitalization, has held six rounds of talks with his U.S. counterparts to pave the way for an interim accord in Canada. But the two sides have remained apart as Washington has refused Tokyo's most important demand to eliminate tariffs on automobiles, according to government sources. Ishiba said it is difficult to say when an agreement is expected, citing ongoing discussions. The prime minister emphasized that the government is exploring the possibility of an agreement that is in line with Japan's national interests. While he refused to disclose where the two countries remain at odds, Ishiba indicated that the auto sector is a key stumbling block. Asked about issues that need to be resolved for an agreement, Ishiba said automobiles represent a major part of Japan's national interests and that the country must continue to do its utmost to defend its national interests. While Trump has complained about Japan's contribution to the costs of maintaining U.S. troops in the country, Ishiba said the issue did not come up during the meeting. Meanwhile, Trump told reporters that his meeting with Ishiba went well. But the U.S. president suggested on June 12 that he will further increase 25-percent tariffs on foreign automobiles, which would even raise the bar for a potential Japan-U.S. agreement. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on June 11 indicated the possibility that so-called reciprocal tariffs, which have been on pause for 90 days, will be suspended beyond the July 9 deadline. The extension would give more time for the United States to negotiate tariffs and other measures with major trading partners, such as Japan. (This article was written by Shinya Tokushima in Banff, Junichiro Ishii in Kananaskis and Ken Sakakibara in Calgary, all in Canada.)
