Japan-U.S. trade surplus edges up in April

Don't tell Trump!!

Instead of Trump imposing tariffs, the US should really be concerned about its lack of competetiveness. That is the real problem. Plus the US market is the largest in the world (for now), and lots of US companies are not interested in taking the trouble to sell overseas.

The trade row has cast a shadow over the relationship between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Trump, who have forged otherwise close ties.

The close ties we are talking about consist of Abe consistently kissing Trump's butt and fawning over him like a dog fawns over his master. It was embarrassing for all of us living here- even those of us not Japanese. He groveled and fawned all over Trump and the media here just spun it as if there was some kind of bromance between 2 equal partners. The media spin gave Abe even more brown-nosing space to try and make it look like the 2 were actually getting along and that there was a warm relationship between the 2.

There wasn't.

Trump unilaterally threatened NK and then turned around and said he would meet with Kim, completely oblivious to Japan's position on the subject. Abe was left out in the cold with no say so whatsoever except a promise that the abductee issue would be "brought up" when the summit went ahead with Kim. THEN to make matters worse, Trump exempts ALL of his allies EXCEPT Japan from the tariffs.

PLEASE. Stop pretending that there are close ties between the 2 men. There aren't.

Trade balance between JPN-USA will be impossible with Trump--He has trauma of his youth generation when Japan cars were much competitive in USA market where he supported the demonstrative actions of destroying Japanese cars on the USA media streamline. As much as Americans want to buy cheaper and less mileage costs where Japanese cars are much popular, Trump will eventually create troubles those JPN cars will cost more after the agreement Trump wants to lead in his way, and most of Americans won't like to buy Made in USA cars. On the other hand, about import trade, just to see logistics and TPP partners from Southeast Asia and Oceania, it will be much competitive products from there than USA ones, with less taxation. Mainly food and row materials. Domestic annual surplus of trade means nothing to me when it contrasts with the other country. It should be controlled with long-term vision to balance the bilateral agreement. Many projects are scheduled to 3-5-10 years to see good results or not.

The US should really be concerned about its lack of competetiveness.

Yep, those lazy American companies like Apple, Boeing, Intel and Google need to learn a few lessons from the likes of Toshiba, Sharp and Olympus. LOL.

That is the real problem.

No, it isn't. Not by a long shot.

"World's most and least competitive countries"

https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2017/09/29/the-worlds-most-and-least-competitive-countries-infographic/#1031e8b933fd

This is not so easy to fix, as the US doesn't really have products that the Japanese in general want. (Forget cars, US automakers screwed that one up decades ago and there is no way they are going to start making k-cars either)

The Forbes list based on a World Economic Forum [WEF] report says about the US of A:

2. United States — Although it ranks very highly overall, the report says the US performs poorly for “basic requirements,” and is let down by low scores for health and primary education.

GDP per capita: $57,436.

Best for: Financial market development, Market size, Business sophistication, and Innovation, all 2nd of 137 countries.

Most problematic factor for doing business: Tax rates.

And about Japan:

9. Japan — The island nation’s success is “largely driven by high-quality physical and digital infrastructure, a healthy and educated workforce and a fertile innovation ecosystem,” but it suffers from “persistently troubled public finances.”

GDP per capita: $38,917.

Best for: Business sophistication, 3rd of 137 countries.

Most problematic factor for doing business: Restrictive labour regulations.

Nobody should doubt the competitiveness of the US but gokai_wo_maneku stating 'lots of US companies are not interested in taking the trouble to sell overseas' has some truth when you think of for example the US automotive industry. For the Japanese market companies like Ford and GM could have introduced [smaller] cars from their European plants in the past, but obvious that didn't happen.

Competitiveness is about doing business in that particular country and not about the subject of this article, the trade surplus of Japan with the US.

More black coffee: Competitiveness in economics [where the list is about] and not competitiveness in business because that has definitely a relation with....

I have two quick points to make. First, you guys are looking at stats the wrong way. The US trade deficit in terms of gdp is only 2.5%, which is small. Second, people see the final product but they don't supply chain behind the final product.

 For example, someone mention Boeing. Boeing is a great company and makes great planes. What you don't see is the supply chain that it takes to a make a Boeing plane. You don't Mitsubishi Heavy which makes the wings, Toray which makes the carbon fiber which makes the fuselage, Rolls Royce which makes the engine.

International economics is not a football match. It is lot more complex.

@JeffLet My bad, I meant competitive in Japan, not worldwide. There are lots of US companies who have done their homework and are very successful here. I hope Trump does not ruin things for them.

Guys, it is called comparative advantage. I don't want to go thru theory. Both Japan and the US benefit by trade. Both Japan and the US have great companies and not so good companies. Yes, Ford is joke but so Rakuten. Which would you rather have a Mazda and I phone or a Ford and a Eulga ?

Yes, Ford is joke but so Rakuten.

Rakuten a joke? More specific..