Japanese Prime Minister Says He Will Not Make Concessions Lightly in U.S. Talks, Rejects Linking Security to Tariffs (AI Translation)
Listen to the full version
文｜财新 罗子琳
By Caixin's Luo Zilin
【财新网】“如果日本事事让步，我们将无法维护国家利益。”当地时间4月21日，日本首相石破茂在日本国会参议院预算委员会会议答辩时坚定表示，日本不会在与美国的关税谈判中一味地让步，也并不急于访美与特朗普达成协议。
[Caixin.com] "If Japan concedes on every issue, we will be unable to protect our national interests." On April 21 local time, Japanese Prime Minister Shiba Shigeru stated firmly during a budget committee hearing at the Japanese House of Councillors that Japan would not make one-sided concessions in tariff negotiations with the United States, nor was it in a hurry to visit the U.S. to reach an agreement with President Trump.
同时，石破茂向国会指出，日美之间的磋商之所以被定义为“最优先事项”，是因为日本一直是对美投资和创造就业最多的国家，在经济层面形成了相互补充、实现双赢的关系，容易构建合作，“日美关税谈判有可能成为全球的典范”。
At the same time, Shigeru Ishiba told the National Diet that the reason why consultations between Japan and the United States are defined as a “top priority” is because Japan has consistently been the largest source of investment and job creation in the United States. This has created a complementary and mutually beneficial economic relationship, making cooperation easier to build. “The Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations have the potential to become a global model,” he said.
日本是第一个同美国进行关税谈判的发达国家。此次会议是参议院预算委员会在4月16日日美关税谈判后的首次集中审议。前一天，石破茂在NHK《日曜讨论》节目上对日本对日美关税谈判的立场和思路进行了集中阐释，并在本次会议上再次重申了其中的要点。这两次发言也是石破茂于4月19日同结束日美首次关税谈判回国的日本经济再生大臣赤泽亮正举行磋商分析会议后的关键表态。
Japan is the first developed country to enter tariff negotiations with the United States. The current session marks the first focused review by the Senate Budget Committee following the conclusion of the Japan-U.S. tariff talks on April 16. The previous day, Shigeru Ishiba gave a comprehensive explanation of Japan's position and approach to the bilateral tariff negotiations on NHK's "Sunday Discussion" program, and reiterated the key points in this session. These two statements also constitute Ishiba's major responses following his consultative analysis meeting on April 19 with Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's Minister for Economic Revitalization, who had just returned from concluding the first round of Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations.
- DIGEST HUB
Digest Hub
Back
- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated Japan will not make unilateral concessions in tariff talks with the U.S. and emphasized separating security from trade negotiations.
- The U.S. demands Japan increase contributions for hosting U.S. troops, allow more U.S. car sales, and reduce the trade deficit; Japan maintains its protective stance over agriculture and automotive sectors.
- Opinion polls show 85% of Japanese are concerned about U.S. tariffs, but less than 30% have confidence in the Ishiba administration’s negotiating abilities.
[para. 1]
- NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)
- NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) is Japan's national public broadcasting organization. It operates multiple television and radio channels, providing news, educational, and entertainment programming. Funded primarily by viewer fees, NHK is renowned for its impartial news coverage and in-depth discussion programs, such as "Nichiyou Toron" ("Sunday Debate"), which frequently feature key government officials and policymakers discussing current national and international issues. NHK plays a significant role in Japanese public discourse.
- Yomiuri Shimbun
- According to the article, Yomiuri Shimbun previously reported that, as a suggestion to advance tariff negotiations, Japan might propose increasing imports of U.S. rice and soybeans and possibly relax vehicle safety standards. However, based on recent statements by Japanese officials, it appears unlikely that the Japanese government will relax agricultural import restrictions or sacrifice farmers’ interests in exchange for the removal of the 25% U.S. auto tariff.
- Asahi Shimbun
- According to the article, Asahi Shimbun conducted a nationwide telephone survey of voters on April 19 and 20. The survey revealed that about 85% of voters are concerned about the impact of U.S. tariffs on the Japanese economy, with 43% expressing "serious concern" over Trump's tariff threats, and less than 30% expressing confidence in the Japanese government's negotiation abilities.
- Truth Social
- Truth Social is a social media platform founded by former U.S. President Donald Trump. In the article, Trump used Truth Social to post about eight alleged "non-tariff barrier frauds," specifically criticizing Japan's "protectionist technical standards." The platform serves as Trump's main channel for public statements, especially related to political and trade issues.
- PODCAST
- MOST POPULAR
Sign in with Google
Sign in with Facebook
Sign in with 财新