Ishiba: Retaliatory tariffs on the US do not lead to national interest

Korea Economic Daily

Summary

Shigeru Ishiba, the Prime Minister of Japan, stated that retaliatory tariffs would not benefit Japan and its people.
He expressed his stance to avoid hasty conclusions and to analyze precisely regarding the US tariff measures.
It was added that the Japanese negotiator is scheduled to visit the US for important negotiations.

Shigeru Ishiba, the Prime Minister of Japan, stated that responding to the US tariff measures with retaliatory tariffs "does not lead to the interests of Japan or its people."

According to Kyodo News and NHK on the 14th, Prime Minister Ishiba said at the House of Representatives Budget Committee held that day that while he does not completely deny retaliatory tariffs, he is not considering them at this point.

Regarding the negotiations between the ministers of both countries on the US tariff measures to be intensified this week, he expressed that "it is not a way of thinking that it would be good to quickly conclude negotiations," indicating that he would avoid hasty conclusions.

Regarding the intentions behind US President Donald Trump's tariff measures, he said, "I want to approach it with the most precise analysis possible."

Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's Minister for Economic Revitalization, designated as the Japanese minister in charge of the bilateral tariff negotiations, is scheduled to visit the US from the 16th to meet with counterparts such as Treasury Secretary Scott Besant and USTR Representative Jamison Greer.

Prime Minister Ishiba also stated that "a phone meeting with Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is being coordinated" regarding the US tariff measures.

Eunji Cha, Hankyung.com reporter chachacha@hankyung.com