Japan putting 'all options on table' in dealing with U.S. auto tariffs, Ishiba says

“Americans pay for tariffs.”

. . .Al Franken (former senator)

He has no options...

And by "all options on table" he means bending over and reaching for the butter. Mr Ishiba knows his place.

He will offer to splash some more cash on US weapons or whatever else Trump wants him to waste tax payers money on and Trump will put a hold on the tariffs.

Japan's tariffs on American:

Cars: 0%

Machinery: 0%

Electrical machinery: 0.2%

Chemicals: 2.3%

Clothing: 9.2%

Agricultural products: 15.5%

There is plenty of scope for retaliation.

Plenty of scope for retaliation...

Provoke Trump and see what happens.

Time for a bit of specific land rental and take-off and landing taxes. to be monitored locally of -course. threaten to buy a few weapons from the Californian Coastal Patrol. Japan is the largest investor in the US. Time for a re-balance!!

I think not many Japanese want to buy American-made cars and industrial products. We would like to buy cheap rice, but Japanese may not like American rice. Thus, the only option is to buy more oil and weapons. Many Japanese people probably wish Abe were still alive. By the way, GDP will only drop by 0.2%? So it will have no effect at all ?

I know I’ll be unpopular but the Trump’s tariffs are a good wake up call for many countries. I’ve been saying for years that Japan has to rebuild its economy from within Japan and stop relying on international markets that no longer exist. Australia and Canada will both have to stop relying on the US markets. Once they stop complaining about it they’ll realize it’s a good thing for them.

Angry spur of the moment, huffing puffing knee jerk retaliatory "tariff" pique won't change Trump's mind.

I suggest announcing a policy review over US military presence, the costs, the need to question, laws governing U.S. military personnel stationed in Japan primarily the US.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA),

Right here....

Agreement Under Article VI of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security Between the United States of America and Japan, Regarding Facilities and Areas and the Status of United States Armed Forces in Japan  

https://www.usarj.army.mil/Portals/33/cmdstaffs/sja/doc/sofa_201601.pdf

There is between 53,000 to 56,000 active-duty U.S. service members stationed in Japan, also the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet, the largest forward-deployed fleet, stationed in Yokosuka Japan.

Question the overriding purpose, agenda of such a presence, Japan welfare or perhaps to prevent a strike/attack on US mainland.

Japan should forget about US and insted negotiate new terms with EU, Canada and even China??

Who knows, maybe that will be the cathalist for China to forget about Taiwan and forget about their dreams of world domination (utterly wishful thinking, I know... But one can imangine).

Something like this might not have happened under former Prime Minister Abe, but it won't work with Ishiba, who is treated even more lightly than Abe's wife, Akee.

There is no way that Ishiba will be able to provide anything that would benefit America.

I think that if we can accelerate the relocation to Guam by reducing the budget for US forces in Japan, and cover the defense of Japan by the Self-Defense Forces with tax money, then we should do it.

However, before that, we need to implement tax reform and measures to increase people's income, otherwise the burden on the people will only increase and we will not gain any understanding.

Japan is the largest foreign investor in America.

Japan is the largest foreign investor in America.

Sadly, Trump does not care (or probalbly even know) about it and even if he did, if Mango Musolini does not get a share of the pie nothing matters.... To be fare, most US presidents didn't acknowledge that so much either.

Japan's tariffs on American:

Cars: 0%

Machinery: 0%

Electrical machinery: 0.2%

Chemicals: 2.3%

Clothing: 9.2%

Agricultural products: 15.5%

There is plenty of scope for retaliation.

Well, if Japan really wants to take that route....ok........

Japan is the largest foreign investor in America.

Eeeexactly!

"" as automakers distribute the huge profits they reaped overseas to their employees .""

I PRAY that this is TRUE, show us some Data!!?

bass4funk

Japan is the largest foreign investor in America.

Eeeexactly!

Strange answer. Japan should ask the US to pay back the $1.5 trillion of American debts it owns.

Japan will weather out this Storm, hang on for the next 45 months hopefully things will get better.

Japan's investment in the United States was $783.3 billion (about ¥120 trillion) in 2023.

Net foreign direct investment by Japan in the US reached a record high of 11.73 trillion yen ($77.3 billion) in 2024.

According to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, by foreign parent country, four nations accounted for half of total FDI in the U.S. by the end of 2023: the Netherlands (USD 717.5 billion), Japan (USD 688.1 billion), Canada (USD 671.6 billion), and the UK (USD 630.1 billion).

Trump is not the villain here, neither is the global community that trades with America.

This political craziness, no other word for it, is the aftermath from a devastating global pandemic 7,089,976 confirmed deaths , the lockdown the economic horror story, the subsequent cost of living crisis.

Donald Trump presidency was necessary to bring clarity to global rules based trading, the need to reassess the mean of globalisation, the race to the bottom, build manufacture it just make sure its at the very lowest price,

Trump however you may dispraise/despise the fellow is simply insisting you sell it, you manufacture in America.

That is why Trump is President of the US, the US people made a clear choice

Japan has no leverage. If they want a future they must turn away from the outdated U.S alliance structure and move towards BRICS and a shared future for mankind. Trump is busy turning the U.S inwards and building a Gestapo. If Japan thinks there's a future with this kind of state then they'll get burnt just like Canada is right now. It's time for Japan to make a break and do what is right for them and not for a declining empire. Imagine if a high speed rail goes from Tokyo to Dubai to Paris. This is what is possible. But it cannot be achieved if they continue to constrict themselves on Washington's leash.

The American economy is only about 10% manufacturing and 90% services. The blame for all of that lies with the major American corporations who pulled out and took their productions to cheaper countries.

When Trump talks about trade he only mentions hard trade and not services.

Strange answer.

I disagree.

Japan should ask the US to pay back the $1.5 trillion of American debts it owns.

But it won't

Japan will weather out this Storm, hang on for the next 45 months hopefully things will get better.

Vance will be worse, he's not as forgiving as Trump.

Ishiba: "We need to consider what's best for Japan's national interest."

Why can't Trump say this without all the hate?

bass4funk

Strange answer.

I disagree.

Then you should explain what you mean. Japan invests $ trillions in the US and you can only say "Eeeexactly!" as a teenager would post.

Japan should ask the US to pay back the $1.5 trillion of American debts it owns.

But it won't

Trump has put everything on the table.

More deterioration for Japan?

Just par for the course…

trump has walked back many of his tariff tantrums. most projections are for a 74% decrease in auto imports to the u.s., which negates the amount of tariffs trump hallucinates to be collected.

turning on a dime isn’t something automakers can do, and certainly not until asked on what trump says now compared to what happens 3-4 months from now.

building a factory in the u.s. now, including the logistics of supply chain and training, would barely be online by the time trump is out of office. sales of some models don’t support the capital costs of manufacturing in the u.s.

expanding exports to other nations until trump goes away or changes his mind again is a more prudent move.

look, even u.s. domestic automakers would be manufacturing and assembling all in the u.s. if it was economical to do so. it isn’t.

these tariffs are a childlike, simplistic thing by people who have no clue of the complexity of supply chains and no experience in building anything except political talking points. trump is experienced in bankruptcy, not in manufacturing or any other business except licensing his name.

the u.s. gdp will fall as much as the gdp of exporter nations,

asked = based. there something strange with this site. words are changed on a delay. anyone else notice it?

Doing his best to destroy the world order. Thanks for nothing, Orange Pumpkin.

The problem with American and American cars is that you drive on the wrong side. and B) your cars are waaaaaaaayyyyyy toooooooo big. And we understand your gas guzzlers are just another stealth tax. I won't be buying any new iPhones, that is for sure. I'll buy pre-owned. It's cheaper, and ALL the money will stay here. It's my way of giving two Vs to you. (Americans might not understand the V sign, but the Brits will, and it's not V for victory. LOL. Meanwhile, back at MI5 in London, and the MoD... I think they'll also be reconsidering their deals. And that's for telling the American people that the air strike also required the RAF to refuel those F18s. Kind of omitted to tell your Maga fan base the Brits were involved too. What's even worse is, according to CNN polls the Americans think the US is on the right track. The French were smarter than the rest of the Europeans. WOW.

All Japan really needs to do is ask the US debt that they bought up to be paid back in full immediately. Trump may think himself a strong man; he's quickly having reality shoved in his face.

After been served some humble pie,while groveling to Trump

Be less reliant on the US by selling more to the rest of the world (it is quite a big planet). Reduce car production if necessary. Move staff to other sectors, which are really short of staff.

now isn’t the best time for japan to sell u.s. debt. the so-called administration wants to lower the usd, so wait.

All Japan really needs to do is ask the US debt that they bought up to be paid back in full immediately. Trump may think himself a strong man; he's quickly having reality shoved in his face.

That will never happen. Japan holds $1.1 to $1.5 trillion in U.S. debt, but asking the U.S. to pay it back wouldn’t make sense for several reasons:

Then you should explain what you mean. Japan invests $ trillions in the US and you can only say "Eeeexactly!" as a teenager would post.

Japan should ask the US to pay back the $1.5 trillion of American debts it owns.

Oh, you think it's that easy. It’s a long-term investment: Japan’s money is tied up in U.S. Treasury bonds, which only get paid back when they mature. If Japan demanded early repayment, it would have to sell the bonds in the market—likely for less money—hurting its own financial stability. Do you think they would take that route? Really?

Then you have the "Steady income": These bonds give Japan regular interest payments, providing a reliable source of income. Asking for the money back would cut off this steady cash flow.

Then, you have the "Strong economic ties" that Japan and the U.S. have in their deep trade relationship. Disrupting it could hurt both economies, especially Japan’s, which depends on exporting goods to the U.S., but again, Japan will NOT take this route; they are stuck.

One option would be to sell off U.S. debt. The Global market could cause chaos in global financial markets, crashing the value of Japan’s holdings and shaking the world economy.

Next, you have currency problems. If Japan gets paid back in U.S. dollars, it could strengthen the yen, which would make Japanese products more expensive abroad, hurting its exports.

And let's not forget that Japan and the U.S. are strong allies in many areas, including military defense. Pushing for debt repayment could damage that important relationship, ties that Japan will not break; they need us, and they know it.

In short, asking the U.S. to pay back its debt could create more problems for Japan than benefits, both economically and diplomatically; it is a stupid and unreal proposition.

Trump open up a can of legal hell, everyday it halt his presidency too a crawl , starting next month,he will fighting a losing battle

US is headed for an recession,with mass government layoff and Tariff, starting this summer

All options on table means that Japan plan to bend over and take whatever America does to them.

Your not keeping up with the markets they already have begun selling off bonds. That's what tanked the Dow Jones. They've also been very direct that they're willing to sell off even more. Raising tariffs isn't the actions of people that want to be your allies. They'll be treated as such.

RezMar. 27 11:06 pm JST

All Japan really needs to do is ask the US debt that they bought up to be paid back in full immediately.

Treasury bonds aren't callable and this would devastate the Japanese economy.

As much as our government dislike it, Trump is doing the things he promised voters. Americans first. Meaning he will give better treatment to local industries. I get why most had voted for him.

And is not a big surprise. Whether it's japanese cars, koreans cars, chinese cars or even europeans cars, the american car industry is being hit hard inside their own nation. So they must do this.

And most countries actually does do this to protect their own local industries. And has been going on for countless years. Our government just hasn't toughen up yet to that simple fact.

Sell more US treasuries each month.

With an ally like that you do not need enemies.

Japan should put a $250 tariff on tourists from the US.

1glennMar. 27  10:00 pm JST

Doing his best to destroy the world order. Thanks for nothing, Orange Pumpkin.

Taking it out on everybody else, for no damn good reason. What did Canada, Japan, anyone do to deserve this? And like the fascist pig that he is, he's squealing about 'everybody is against us, waaaaaahhhhh!!!!!!'. Yet WHO is being the aggressor here? Thrashing out against 'enemies' that are not there. Like that 'animal' Hispanic 'invasion' he has constantly bellyached about.

The world economy has become globalized whether we like it or not. The USA has never been a self-sufficient 'island'/geodome-like ecosystem anytime in history. That means we need trade, negotiations, diplomacy. You know, things that Presidents discuss when they go overseas. It's their JOB. Oh yeah, Motormouth Mussolini knows nothing about any of these things. He screams that he is the Messiah in America, yet he is a slave to Putin, and now the Jew-hating zillionaire Muskrat too.

And since the US economy is interlinked with much of the world itself, this evil spoilsport will be the party pooper for ALL concerned. He's throwing temper tantrums and hissy fits like he always does and sticking his tongue out while stretching the corners of his big mouth with his fingers. But there's nothing even remotely 'cute' or close to funny about this. At all.

Americans don't really vote for a person, they vote for a political party. They didn't vote for Trump so much as they voted Republican, because they always, always vote Republican. That's why Trump won the election, not because hundreds of millions of Americans support his insanity.

RyanToday  06:51 am JST

Americans don't really vote for a person, they vote for a political party.

Absolutely not true: they voted for Trump because he is Strong and Wrong and stayed home for Harris because she is a woman of color.

Ishiba has very little leverage over the US in reality, especially given the deteriorating security situation due to the growing axis of Russia, China, NK and Iran.

DJT won in Nov. on the issue of 'reciprocal' trade and protecting the Auto industry in particular, carrying Michigan, Union and Working-class voters tired of seeing their jobs sent to Mexico etc.

Expect Japanese industry to massively expand their US production of autos, parts, steel and aluminum, like the South Koreans now aggressively doing.

Lower Corp. taxes, cheaper energy and materials, no transpacific shipping costs & fewer regulations = $Merits

Ishiba furthermore very much in political peril while DJT now more popular with US citizenry than at any time since first announcing his candidacy almost 10 yrs ago.

DJT has remade the Republican party into the party of 'common sense' and the working and middle-class voters all of races, religions, colors and creeds and as a result has VERY loyal Republican Congress supporting him.

Finally, DJT has an 'easy' comparison, nobody misses Biden, who left office historically unpopular, while Ishiba is struggling in this respect, as many miss Abe-san.

Ishiba will thus have to tread lightly and voters in Japan will likely be none too impressed.

Shut down U S bases, deport embassy staffers, close all U S embassies.

ZENJIToday 03:08 am JST

Shut down U S bases, deport embassy staffers, close all U S embassies.

That sounds logical. I suppose ally with China is your next proposal.