politics

Trump giving Abe a hard time on trade despite close ties

36 Comments
By Linda Sieg

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Thomson Reuters 2018.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

36 Comments
Login to comment

Is Akie keeping a pretty low profile these days, hoping everyone forgets about her role in the Moritomo Gakuen scandal?

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Uses a garakei, what a surprise.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

So... because your my friend I should always come up on the short end when we do business? You wouldn't be my fried for long under those circumstances.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

So this guy has wonderful ideas for the future of Japan and tries to educate us what's best for us and in the meantime he uses an outdated flip phone. Maybe he is still using a Windows XP at home , too?

3 ( +7 / -4 )

It is not personal friendship but real friendship required to show to U.S. in return. Give the credit to Trump. Japan has took for granted generosity of "rich" U.S. too long. Personally I want to have more accesses to U.S. foods at Japanese supermarkets.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Abe looks like he's going to cry! Reminds me of a cruel master who keeps hitting his dog and the dog keeps on coming back for more, trying to please him. But of course, in such a case, the dog is actually a victim and likely did nothing wrong -- or at least nothing to deserve being abused.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Tell me, is this going to be some kind of PR stunt? Trump gives Abe a hard time, but tough Shinzo negotiates a great deal for Japan, comes home victorious and all the dodgy scandally stuff is forgotten.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Should have known it as soon as Trump was elected.

He does what he says he intends to do, as decisive and divisive as always.

Trump has had the same stance on Japan for decades, he’s no politician!

6 ( +6 / -0 )

such misleading news, Trump is not giving him a hard time. He is trying to make a fair and equitable deal. Stop making it sound negative

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

A true friend does not always tell you what you want to hear.

On the issue of trade, Japan needs to hear the truth, which can hurt.

The USA is no longer prepared to put up with Japans unfair and one slided trading pratices. Even the Japan apologists are running out of excuses and just repeat the same old rhetoric.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

I'm tired to have Japan in the name of Abe.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Japan has had its cake & been eating it since the 70s!

Although I don't like trump I don't mind him leaning into Japan some, should have happened decades ago!

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Abe san. you do not have to put up with trump's threat. Instead, you may start pulling money out of US treasury and invest it elsewhere.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Akie Abe: Just pretend that you look like you know how to use your phone.

Shinzo: I'm trying, I'm trying. Where's the 'on' button?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Not only Japan , Trump is giving hard times on trade to many countries in the world .

2 ( +2 / -0 )

GW: "Although I don't like trump I don't mind him leaning into Japan some, should have happened decades ago!"

Couldn't have said it better myself.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

To those commenting on the flip phone, it’s most likely a govt issued phone and it’s intentionally a flip-top for security reasons.

Most heads of state are not allowed private cell phones or smart phones. You can see in the link below, Obama appears on a Bear Gryll’s survival show, and when Bear suggests they take a selfie, Obama explains that he doesn’t know how to, because he’s not allowed a smartphone. (He’s also not allowed to eat the raw fish)

https://youtu.be/oBWheJkO9hI

3 ( +3 / -0 )

As Donald Tusk, President of the European Council stated recently: ' With such friends you don't need enemies' :)

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It is not personal friendship but real friendship required to show to U.S. in return. Give the credit to Trump. Japan has took for granted generosity of "rich" U.S. too long. Personally I want to have more accesses to U.S. foods at Japanese supermarkets.

Enlighten yourself about US-Japan trade and international trade in general before barking nonsense about 'granted generosity '.

Who wants chlorine washed poultry and US processed food anyway besides Americans ? :)

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

As Donald Tusk, President of the European Council stated recently: ' With such friends you don't need enemies' :)

I don't think that Donald Tusk said any such thing.

Although I seem to remember Senator Gephardt in 1987 saying "with friends like Japan, who needs enemies, what friend would close it's market to their allies".

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Poor Mr. Abe I don't think he understands what Narcissism is when it comes to Trump. LOL, what a rude awaking he is going to have learning what their kind is like.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yesterday's photo displayed this very well. Trump just displayed pure contempt for Abe San.

The body language showed an annoyed Trump and a unsettled Abe.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

 don't think that Donald Tusk said any such thing.

'Don't think' is not sure, do your homework first..

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Poor Mr. Abe I don't think he understands what Narcissism is when it comes to Trump. LOL, what a rude awaking he is going to have learning what their kind is like.

I think you might be getting it wrong here, they are both narcissists and to keep their relationship close they need a common target to focus their emotions and problems on, in this case Kim and North Korea.

Abe doesn't want the relationship to end, hence his jumping on the Trump bandwagon, and these trade issues, while they play up big in the press, don't really get to Abe because he doesn't give a shite about anyone but himself.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Abe and past PMs have allowed Japanese companies to offshore jobs and to make spectacular profits which do not benefit the Japanese economy.

Donald Trump rightly or wrongly wishes to support American workers and keep jobs in the US.

Which leader would I support?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Which leader would I support?

Neither!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Flip phones

FYI, the flip phones are often used as in-house communication devices. How are they supposed to get in contact with Abe when he's in the cafeteria eating his pork cutlet?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Not only Japan , Trump is giving hard times on trade to many countries in the world .

More barking then action so far, the Chinese made some payments to Trump businesses in Asia and he 'saved' Chinese ZTE. The tariffs on certain kind of steel products lead to American businesses complaining about problems with their supply chain as they can't be made in the US. US farmers have no alternative markets for the soybean supply chain to China. There is a shortage of manufacturing facilities in the US and a low skilled and educated workforce to make even simple products like T shirts for Walmart. Back in biz again will take 2 decades at least. To produce competitive can only be done with robots so not more but less American jobs.

So China will buy more soybeans from the US but told their farmers to grow more of it too.

Japan will buy F 35Bs, place them on those Izumi class ships [but don't call them 'carriers' :) ] and create more automotive US jobs.

And the EU? Except for US military equipment, planes and ICT & financial services what should they purchase in the US? Products designed in the US and made in China are most wanted but the money made with them is kept offshore. [ The Trump administration has a point there to be solved with the tech firms involved.]

Interesting times ahead so let it come :)

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Shinzo Abe and other leaders of the world should realize that Trump does not have friends.

Trump's attitude and actions remind me James Mattis's ruthless aphorism which states, ‘Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet.’ The bad news is that Trump does not have politeness and professionalism.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Trump has no friends,the only close ties be has is Kushner ! Mr Abe has no idea over his personality.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Trump giving Abe a hard time on trade despite close ties

Hilarious how the media spins things!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Trump just displayed pure contempt for Abe San.

he's hardly alone

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It is not personal friendship but real friendship required to show to U.S. in return. Give the credit to Trump. Japan has took for granted generosity of "rich" U.S. too long. Personally I want to have more accesses to U.S. foods at Japanese supermarkets.

I agree

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I don't think that Donald Tusk said any such thing.

Zichi, netgrump. Yes, he did say that. Missed that somehow. My error.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites