Japanese firms see U.S. trade talks boosting exports despite Trump rhetoric

Japanese authorities argue the country’s car market faces no barriers and that U.S. companies have done poorly in Japan because they haven’t invested in the market.

Not that I am a fan of US cars, but this is double-talk for

US companies have done poorly not because they haven't invested in the market here. It's because they haven't put money into the hands of the right people to market their products here.

It is always US who is making demands.

These are legitimate, and long overdue demands.

Japan produces cars. The US produces, among other things, agriculture, energy, and defense equipment. Japan can sell its cars in the US without tariffs. Yet, the US cannot sell much of its agriculture to Japan without facing ridiculous tariffs. How is that fair?

As a comparison point, in July, China (currently in a trade war with the US) stuck back by placing a 37% retaliatory tariff on US beef. Yet, this is still lower than the 38.5%-50% tariff that Japan places on US beef.

Abe knows this is unfair, which is why he agreed to buy more energy and defense equipment from the US. But, agriculture is largely off-limits due to need for the JA vote for the LDP to remain in power.

Why when Trump says something it is "rhetoric?" I never heard anybody say "Obama's rhetoric." This is called slanted reporting and it happens despite record economic prosperity, record stock prices and record consumer confidence.

This is called slanted reporting and it happens despite record economic prosperity, record stock prices and record consumer confidence.

and despite all that Trump still lost the house to the Dems, tells you just what the American people think of him. People put more importance on treating women, minorities underprivelaged with respect and not to shite on everybody whos opionion you dont like.

 Japan can sell its cars in the US without tariffs.

Those are made in USA.

US also has used food supply as a weapon to start a war, bad resume.

(1) I did not mention rice. (2) The statement above illustrates a severely distorted view of history. Which war with Japan did America start?

Which war of America did not America start?

WWII

tinawatanabe said -

"...Japan imports almost 100% wheat from US, which destroyed Japan's wheat industry..." 

Incorrect data. Japan imports about 45% from US, 30% from Canada, 15% from Australia & the rest from others.

Japan currently grows about 8% of it's own rice and the area under cultivation has been increasing. However with Japan's increasingly humid weather and erratic heavy rainfall patterns, domestic yields have been decreasing. Japan's demand for wheat is stable although the population is decreasing, meaning Japan can never produce enough wheat to satisfy it's market. This is Fact.

tinawatanabe said -

"...US subsidizes its rice industry more than 100%. Japan does not. It is unfair..."

Not entirely correct. The US has had a protectionist policy for it's rice industry for many years. Japan also has such practices, namely the Gentan system, which compensated Japanese farmers for decades. Now this is being phased out saving taxpayers billions. In addition tariffs of up to 780% have been applied to imported rice, further protecting domestic production.

I'm not fan of the current tit for tat trade wars, esp those between China & US. Blatant protectionist policies and lies by administrations - eg Trump - help no one in hte long term. But in discussing this volatile topic, we need to make sure our basic info is correct.

....8% of it's own rice..... = oen wheat.

“Japan must firmly resist unfair demands from the U.S.,” a manager of an electric machinery maker wrote.

And the U.S. must firmly resist unfair demands from Japan. That's just good business practice. It's time to renegotiate trade deals.

And the U.S. must firmly resist unfair demands from Japan.

It is always US who is making demands. I know at least,

US demanded Japan to move car production to US. Japan did.

Then US demanded Japan to remove tariffs on imported cars to zero, which only helped German and Italian cars.

Then US demanded Japan to increase tax on Japanese cars. Japan did.

Now US blames Japan, not US car makers or American consumers for not buying American cars.

Yet, the US cannot sell much of its agriculture to Japan without facing ridiculous tariffs. How is that fair?

It is unfair for US to compare car with rice and blame Japan. Japan imports almost 100% wheat from US, which destroyed Japan's wheat industry. 

Rice is Japanese staple food, which means national security item. US subsidizes its rice industry more than 100%. Japan does not. It is unfair.

US also has used food supply as a weapon to start a war, bad resume.

Yet, this is still lower than the 38.5%-50% tariff that Japan places on US beef.

Look, Japan can produce fighter jets or whatever but US forbits. 

Abe knows this is unfair

I don't think so. I think the entire world knows US is unfair country

 which is why he agreed to buy more energy and defense equipment from the US.

No. he agreed to buy those because US threatened Japan.

Which war with Japan did America start?

Which war of America did not America start?

Japan INC doesn't need to worry about tariffs. It needs to worry about quality control.