Ishiba says disagreements remain with U.S. on tariffs; Trump calls Japan 'tough'

"They're tough, the Japanese are tough, but ultimately you have to understand we're just going to send a letter saying 'this is what you're going to pay, otherwise you don't have to do business with us'. But there's a chance,"

trump still do not understand who is paying the tariffs.... could you please do something in the US and clean your house?

If Trump sends out a letter to Japan with the new tariffs and kick in date, Japan should send them one, putting tariffs on the magnificent 7 companies and Mac Donald's, coca cola, Levi's, Apple, Nike, Costco, airlines and many more. Let them feel the pain, too

This is why trade wars are stupid.

While everyone else is basically ignoring his stupid tariff games, Japan's trying to deal with him as if he were a rational human being. I mean, points for persistence, but failing grade for worthwhile use of time and resources.

Tokyo guy.....fairs fair mate.

Anthropologists and animal behaviorists still try to teach monkeys to speak english.

Its a long haul.

Is supposed simple, Japan lowering tariffs and US will lower tariff too.

Japan, will say etto and sucking teeth

I gained a lot of respect for Ishiba. Never negotiate with cretins!

"They're tough, the Japanese are tough, but ultimately you have to understand we're just going to send a letter saying 'this is what you're going to pay, otherwise you don't have to do business with us'. But there's a chance," he said.

Japan negotiating is a bit like trying to haggle with a vending machine.

Six trips back and forth. How about another six. Let’s not beat around the bonsai, if you want to do business with America, this is the tariff. It’s not a negotiation—it’s a declaration. Trump makes the rules.

Japan can keep sending envoys and spreadsheets, but no amount of polite bowing or economic white papers is going to change that.

if you want to do business with America, this is the tariff. It’s not a negotiation—it’s a declaration. Trump makes the rules.

So why have only two countries so far reached not even a deal per se, but a "framework of a deal" with him? He proclaimed that he would have 90 deals in 90 days, and by my calculations he has about three weeks left to get the remaining 88.

Is this going to be one of those "two weeks" things again? Come July 8th, he'll mysteriously need to extend the period by a couple of weeks. Then a couple more...

"They're tough, the Japanese are tough, but ultimately you have to understand we're just going to send a letter saying 'this is what you're going to pay, otherwise you don't have to do business with us'. But there's a chance," he said.

Yea right. Trump can't even get China on his terms, and they're building a war machine to defeat the United States. How far does he think this 6th grade level chest beating s going to work with our most important ally in Asia?

Taco Trump doesn’t have the cards.

ultimately you have to understand we're just going to send a letter saying 'this is what you're going to pay, otherwise you don't have to do business with us'.

Trump speaks the same language as the Japanese: “This is Japan. If you don’t like it, go back to your own country.”

And so this is what Japan has to pay: 25% tariffs on autos, otherwise you don’t have to do business with the U.S. Go and sell your cars some where else.

Seems the Japanese has been handed a heaping portion of their own medicine—extra strength, no chaser. 

Cheers to that awkward aftertaste.

I have a friend who is a top-of-field international economist, you sometimes see him on the BBC and hear him on NPR, that sort of thing.

He said that overall, the blanket tariff thing is a bit reckless. But he did say that the exception are the two countries in particular who deserve the tariffs for their general behavior toward the US and its exports:

China, and Japan.

The Japanese auto makers have already "localized" much production of auto to the US: Toyota; Lexus; Honda; Nissan. So, falling imports to the US doesn't affect many US buyers. Only some luxury models from these makers sold in the US that are still only made in Japan. For example, the Toyota Land Cruiser.

Japan is fighting a losing battle here. I think Ishiba san is just playing hard for a bit to strengthen his image with Japanese people.

I have a friend who is a top-of-field international economist, you sometimes see him on the BBC and hear him on NPR, that sort of thing.

NPR and Auntie Beeb—two media titans that like to think they’re serving up the news with a side of integrity. NPR, with its soothing voices and carefully balanced reporting, aims to be the intellectual’s choice, delivering information with the calm precision of a librarian who’s just found your overdue book. Auntie Beeb, revered in your circles but also scoffed by many like Fox News.

But he did say that the exception are the two countries in particular who deserve the tariffs for their general behavior toward the US and its exports:

China, and Japan.

I do get the expert's opinion as support, though I must say, tipping one’s hat to the BBC isn’t quite the done thing, is it? While they do love a good authoritative tone, they’re not exactly the oracle of truth.