Photo/Illutration Ryosei Akazawa, right, the minister for economic revitalization, meets with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington on May 23. (Provided by Cabinet Secretariat)

Ryosei Akazawa, the minister for economic revitalization, said he again told his U.S. counterpart in the third round of ministerial-level negotiations that Japan was strongly seeking the retraction of all high tariffs to be imposed by the Trump administration.

Akazawa also indicated that the two sides would seek an agreement at the summit between Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Group of Seven gathering to be held in Canada in mid-June.

U.S. officials have said the negotiations would not include tariffs on automobiles, steel and aluminum. If high tariffs should remain in place for those sectors, the Japanese economy will suffer a major blow, greatly reducing the significance of any agreement that may be reached.

The government must continue steadfast efforts to convince the United States to retract all the higher tariffs.

Britain and China have reached agreements to some degree in their negotiations with the United States, ahead of Japan.

Britain will increase its imports of U.S. farm products and, in return, the United States will establish a framework to allow 100,000 British-made autos to be imported at low tariffs.

The United States and China agreed that tariffs announced in a series of retaliatory moves that eventually exceeded 100 percent would be greatly reduced by both sides and that a new forum would be set up to discuss trade issues.

In response to China’s stance of strenuously opposing any retaliatory tariffs by the United States, Washington compromised with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying that the two nations were not seeking a decoupling.

The agreement between Washington and London left in place 10-percent reciprocal tariffs, but also included a review of automobile tariffs.

This means the United States cannot logically say in its negotiations with Japan that automobiles will not be discussed.

The Trump administration appears to be rushing to produce quick results from its own initiative to raise tariff rates.

But officials should not become caught up in the negotiating pace of the United States.

Unreasonable requests should be brushed off to protect free and fair trade.

On the same day the ministerial-level negotiations were taking place, Trump posted to social media regarding Nippon Steel Corp.’s plan to acquire U.S. Steel his intention to support a “partnership” between the two companies.

It is still unclear if that means allowing Nippon Steel to complete its aim of making U.S. Steel a subsidiary.

It is undesirable for both Japan and the United States to have the U.S. government continue to interfere politically in an acquisition agreed to by two private-sector companies and thereby damage the U.S. investment environment.

Nippon Steel is considering greatly increasing its investment should the acquisition go through.

It is only natural that Washington approve Nippon Steel’s plan as is.

If Trump’s post is the result of a deeper understanding of the role played by Japanese companies in the United States, that would be a welcome change.

Japan is the largest investing nation in the United States and manufacturing companies from such sectors as automobiles and food products have expanded local production.

Aggressive investment, including in such growth sectors as semiconductors, has contributed to the prosperity of the U.S. economy.

Officials should persistently explain the contributions made by Japanese companies to justify a retraction of all high tariffs.

--The Asahi Shimbun, May 25

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