Japan's economy minister says Trump misunderstands trade

He's right, but one word: Cheese.

Cheese? Didn't Jp already lower tarrifs on cheese?

Imposing tarrifs and making essential products expensive has been perfected in Japan, Trump is merely trying to copy that.

Mr. Seko is being very kind to Trump by saying he misunderstands trade. Some say Trump misunderstands everything.

Trump's main intention is to dominate the news cycle. This time Mr. Seko is helping him. For the past two decades the US was able to keep inflation under control by farming out production of clothes, shoes and basic household necessities to China, and using Mexican workers in agriculture. Knocking down these two pillars is going to send consumer prices skyrocketing.

Trump misunderstands.

Imposing tarrifs and making essential products expensive has been perfected in Japan, Trump is merely trying to copy that.

But his version of tariffs are much more extreme and harmful to the US as well. Trump made a trade war, Japan did not.

honda's us based production plants source around 80% of parts in the US.

Toyota similar.

Detroit major "US" brands outsource a chunk of parts production.

so J cars parts are 80% US produced.

US cars are 60% US produced.

never mind the J assembly plants providing well paid jobs to US workers.

WTF

misunderstanding of the importance of free trade

whut? Rice, butter...

I agree, the as yet Un-indicted Co-conspirator does not understand trade or tariffs.

We have a proverb for this situation in English, "The pot calls the kettle black."

Yeah, it's just a big misunderstanding, Trump just doesn't get that he's not supposed to do anything to protect American workers from unfair trade practices. Obama understood that very well.

"The annual U.S. trade deficit with Japan totaled more than $68 billion last year."

I bet my being unable to find any California or any foreign rice in my local supermarket has something to do with that.

Mr. Seko is being very kind to Trump by saying he misunderstands trade. Some say Trump misunderstands everything.

I’m not sure. The English equivalent is Trump doesn’t know frank about trade.

The Un-indicted Co-conspirator doesn't understand much of anything, let alone history, reasons, or rules

Trump just doesn't get that he's not supposed to do anything to protect American workers from unfair trade practices.

American workers are getting screwed by the elite, not unfair trade practices.

Japan has been using these same nuggets since the 1980s. It’s amazing that no one remembers them or calls them out on it.

@blattamexiguus

Why not scrape a layer deep and understand the definition of “domestic and imported content.” The critical parts of a car, especially the drivetrain, is always made in Japan and is imported to the U. S. It will never ever be made in the USA. Honda will say “Imported parts from Sayama Japan.” That is where Honda drivetrains are made.

Have you noticed all of the mid-tier shops opening up in Kentucky, Ohio and other states where a Japanese automaker is? It’s the automakers supplier who makes and resells critical parts for Japanse cars. If a part is made in Canada, it is considered domestic content as well.

The only part the US gets is dock, sales, and factory jobs. Some lower supervisory jobs, and non mission critical parts. Recalculate the percentage of pure American parts and the number changes drastically.

I will still buy a Honda, and somwill others, but you are mistaken if you think even 50% is American content.

Trump is basically a salesman whose best work has been done selling himself to those Americans who are either too dumb or desperate to realise that, or who, if politicians, see something in his presidency for themselves.

"Trump is basically a salesman whose best work has been done selling himself to those Americans who are either too dumb or desperate to realise that"

What are the current economic numbers again? Oh, yeah, best economy in history! Lowest unemployment rate for blacks and Hispanics in history! ISIS decimated! South African president called out for his racist policies! Illegal immigration starting to decline despite Democrats' best efforts!

PUBLIC MOTIVE IS NOT ALWAYS THE TRUTH, BUT TRUMP KNOW THE ECONOMIC DEAL

°

Japan will be selling at sheep price his cars in Europe (without taxes). Instead of Japan, Trump will buy to Europe , and japan will not loose money. He created a new economy route and economic life in Europe.

His goal is to force Europe to sell to US by giving part of the european market to Japan. He wants to create economy and renforce France economy who is dying from the English war against US. The european monarchy have made war to France without warning. They lied about France diplomacy. US democrate have helped them. So Trump is rerouting an economy road to an allied is greater need.

Trump know economy but he is bad to talk about it. Nonetheless, his moves shows a rare economic war talent that should not be underestimated.

France took urge hits because she is a republic and USA's first friend. But Trump is creating a new place so japan have no economic losses.

In Europe, the problem is nobody understand Trump and they create mistakes. At least, he demonstrate that Europe can replace France level.

°

MMF

Erratum : "can't replace France level"

Ya gotta love the king of protectionistic international trade policies spouting off about Trump’s international trade policies. - Mr. Seko, what happened to the TPP? How many protectionist demands did Japan make to join the TPP? I’m afraid Japan is in no position to make claims about other country’s internation trade policies.

Trump trades misunderstandings. WHAT???

cancel osprey and F35 and cruise missiles and argis. charge a realistic fee for base rental and US military family homes. make peace withNK and China. tariffs will stop

The epitome of irony and hypocrisy. The minister of trade.. whose job is to REGULATE trade is accusing Trump of misunderstanding FREE trade. Oh my lord.

Japanese consumers pay 4 times the market value for agricultural products because of the Japanese protectionism, and now the very same minister of trade.. who is the chief engineer of the Japanese protectionism.. and whose job is to get bribed by whoever is liking to bribe him the most.. is accusing the least protectionist nation of protectionism. It's like they have no sense of awareness.

I bet my being unable to find any California or any foreign rice in my local supermarket has something to do with that.

You have a point, but there is something understandable about countries trying to maintain a minimum level of food self-sufficiency from a strategic point of view. A highly populated nation like Japan is never far from starvation without imports and needs to maintain a minimum level of food production.

So, why is it that you don't see American cars on Japanese streets while the sight of Japanese cars on American cities are so common? Flawed rhetoric...

Who is Japan to talk about free trade.

I bet my being unable to find any California or any foreign rice in my local supermarket has something to do with that.

@ Serrano - You won't ever find USA rice here. It is GM so banned in Japan. And all Japanese don't like the taste of foreign rice.

It saddens me to see disagreement between the 2 closest ally in the World. Next PM Abe and Trump Summit will smooth things over. USA will NOT impose 25% tariff on Japan autos. I am certain.

Japanese Tariffs/taxes on American autos and other products such as motorcycles, alcohol, cigarettes, and many others household products are as high as 110%. Whereas the U.S. Levys tariffs/taxes on Japanese’s imports in or below the 15% mark. They’ve even attempted to bet these by establishing subsidiary facilities in the U.S. to avoid the 15% and to cut the higher Japanese worker cost. The same holds true for most other countries the U.S. trades with, to say there’s no trade imbalance is Ludacris and self serving. Trump receives advise from U.S. ecomists and acts in the sole interest of the same where others who have claimed to represent the United States have allowed this imbalance to continue until the United States has amassed a vast trade deficit with the rest of the world.

whut? Rice, butter...

Food is exempted as national security by WTO

Mr Seki, please spare us the farce of japan talking about tarrifs and protectionism.

Trump doesn't understand facts and numbers (he just makes up his own).

Japan's economy minister says Trump misunderstands trade

I think that is more a case of Japan misunderstands trade.

And all Japanese don't like the taste of foreign rice.

A rather sweeping statement using the word ALL.

Food is exempted as national security by WTO

Incorrect. Read GATT Artical XXI.

The farcical Donald J. Trump, who is a dangerours embarrassment to U.S. national security, understands very little about anything and is the main source of disinformation and misinformation.

A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing.

Soon Japan will be dealing with President "Jesus" Pence. That will be an improvement.

In the 20 years of living here, the Japanese economy is performing so badly and is steadily sinking. Japanese Politicians love the Status quo, meaning do nothing and dream everything will be the way it was in the 80's. Meanwhile the U.S. economy is constantly moving and doing very well at the moment. Mr. Seko has no idea about tariffs or economy performance. He is only reading the scripts that has been given to him.

The farcical Donald J. Trump, who is a dangerours embarrassment to U.S. national security, understands very little about anything and is the main source of disinformation and misinformation.

There are more Americans who believe the economy is excellent than there are those who believe it is poor for the first time in the 10-years.

You won't ever find USA rice here.

I buy California rice here all the time. It's called Lundburg farms, and it is delicious!

You can get it at most import grocery stores. http://www.lundberg.com

Soon Japan will be dealing with President "Jesus" Pence. That will be an improvement.

It's sad because it's true.

It's like looking forward to little Bush becoming president again.

"The farcical Donald J. Trump, who is a dangerous embarrassment to U.S. national security,"

This is not correct, someone is reading comic books again.

SerranoAug. 24  08:02 pm JST

"Trump is basically a salesman whose best work has been done selling himself to those Americans who are either too dumb or desperate to realise that"

What are the current economic numbers again? Oh, yeah, best economy in history! Lowest unemployment rate for blacks and Hispanics in history! ISIS decimated! South African president called out for his racist policies! Illegal immigration starting to decline despite Democrats' best efforts!"

Thank you Serrano, a few others are so blind with hatred for Trump that the cannot or refuse see the truth.

"And all Japanese don't like the taste of foreign rice."

California rice is a big black market item from commissaries on U. S. military bases in Japan. American rice is much desired for quality and price.

What are the current economic numbers again?

I hope the bubble lasts. Remember 2008?