politics

Japan trade a problem for Trump, but not as bad as China

28 Comments
By Yuri Kageyama

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28 Comments
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If Abe were to play his cards right he would tell Trump to waive Japan's restrictions on Iranian oil then Japan would consider measures proposed by Trump. Japan is not energy independent and the threat of higher tariffs on autos, and higher oil prices will cripple the economy. Consumption tax hike will be the nail in the coffin. Abe has too much at stake to be playing golf if you ask me.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

There are American companies that really did their homework, and they are very successful in Japan. One of their main concerns is whether Trump will ruin everything for them here. Also, more than 300,000 foreign made cars sold every year in Japan, just only a few of them are American. The rest are all European. Maybe US automakers should do their homework like the Europeans obviously have.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Trump, almost on a daily basis, needs his fill of those that kiss up to and praise him. Hopefully this International Dosage will keep him satisfied for a week even.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

the absence of made-in-U.S. vehicles.

Did he mention the German ones?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

US cars, no thanks.

Has he even looked while he's in the US? Sure cars totally unsuited to Japan roads SUVs. Trucks etc are US made but the smaller sedan and hatchbacks are European, Japanese or Korean..

Why should Japan have to take something most US people don't even want themselves.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

This from the article maybe needs repeating.

Quote: “Experts generally agree the imbalance reflects a lack of Japanese interest, not significant trade barriers. Trade talks cannot dictate consumer tastes.”

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Ha ha! Just to echo Yubaru's point, have Trump's Beast try and drive through the streets of Tokyo and not the main highways! See how far you get.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has carefully courted Trump since before he took office

ThIs is a complete lie, Abe had zero contact with Trump and was courting Clinton heavily. News articles even stated they had no plans with Trump.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Detroit-based General Motors Co sold just 562 Cadillacs, 708 Chevrolets, six Buicks and a handful of its other nameplate brands in Japan in the fiscal year that ended in March. In contrast, Toyota sold 2.3 million of the roughly 5 million vehicles sold in the Japanese market.

US built cars are too big for narrow roads in Japan, quality and reliability is inferior to Japanese cars and they are gas guzzlers. Gas is very expensive in Japan, but cheap as dirt in USA.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

It's not only the narrow streets in Japan US cars will have trouble navigating through, but also parking will be an issue. Many Japanese homes have small parking spaces, and most rotary parking facilities will not be able to accommodate US made cars.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

@ Ganbare Japan : US built cars are too big for narrow roads in Japan, quality and reliability is inferior to Japanese cars and they are gas guzzlers.

.

TRUE !!!!

J - autos are by far premium quality in workmanship and technology, AND - may I add - in service ( consumer satisfaction !!!) compared to US auto / manufacturers.

Japanese are not dumb.

They are very fastidious consumers - and they will not by sub standard products.

.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Honestly, I don't understand it. Nobody is forcing American consumers to buy foreigner cars. It's their choice, so this obsession of American administration, implying there's something "unfair" in the trade between the US and other Countries, is stupid. If you don't want to buy something, you don't buy it, despite there's plenty of it.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

The article spoke about how in the 80s, American auto workers smashed Japanese cars. The violent behaviour of a loser. If someone is better than you, try to improve yourself, and you will win. Violence and boycott are useless. During the 90s America developed the internet Revolution, while Japan lagged far behind the US in this field. Apple won the Japanese market, but you don't see Japanese people smashing iPhones in the streets. Now Americans are coming paranoid over Chinese smartphones and technology. History repeats itself.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

are going paranoid*

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Nissan Infinity is better than the Tesla Model 3?

I see Teslas in Japan sometimes and are the same price here as in US. What is the problem? What did Hannity say about Teslas in Japan?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Having arrived in Japan, U.S. President Donald Trump can point to Tokyo's streets to drive home a sore point in trade relations between the allies: the absence of made-in-U.S. vehicles.

So? American cars for far too long were and many still are, far too large for the streets here. Not to mention having a handle on the wrong side for here as well.

Trump can point his finger at the US automakers who stubbornly refuse to adapt to the market here. It's easier now than ever before, as the mandatory shaken (car inspections) can be done by the user, and no longer cost an automatic arm and leg. Sure US cars will be more expensive to operate, but Trump better not just blame the Japanese, he's better look in a mirror!

0 ( +5 / -5 )

There were plenty of huge Mercs on the road when I came here first and there are big SUVs on the road made now madeby the biggest Japanese car maker.

Strangely enough the city folk prefer the bulky inefficient vehicles whilst the ‘kei’ cars are prevalent in the countryside.

Of course, gasoline is not the way to go for Japan but the government in Japan are not doing enough to promote hybrid cars nor other forms of energy.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Lol, do people really think Trump is here to talk about cars ? Not his post-retirement plan about building casinos all over Japan ?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

All those cars for export to... where?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan makes better cars than the USA, so people want to buy them.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

To claim that American cars are too big for narrow japanese roads is stereotype thinking. There are far more chevys in busan Sk than American cars in the whole of Japan. The reason American cars are not selling here is that deep rooted stereotype that they are too big and of low quality.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The reason American cars are not selling here is that deep rooted stereotype that they are too big and of low quality.

In all my years in Japan I have not seen a single advertisement or advertising campaign aimed at changing/denying that stereotype.

The reason American cars are not selling here is that the Americans are not selling their cars here.

Plus the stereotype of their being too big and of low quality. which the manufacturers apparently cannot be bothered/are not able to challenge.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The Trump administration's tough stance on China, is almost a replay of the "Japan bashing" of decades ago.

I didn't realize the Japanese were engaged in forced technology transfers and preferential treatment of state-owned corporations back in the 80s.

"Any trade restrictive measures would deliver a serious blow to the U.S. auto industry and economy, as it would ...suppress company investments in the U.S."

That's an odd comment coming from the head of the company that has pledged stepped investment in the US in direct response to Trump's threats.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Trump can point to Tokyo's streets to drive home a sore point in trade relations between the allies: the absence of made-in-U.S. vehicles

Plenty of made in Germany vehicles though. That being said, you can't find any vehicles made in Korea. Why is that? They sell plenty in the U.S. and other countries.

General Motors Co sold just 562 Cadillacs, 708 Chevrolets, six Buicks...

This is when GM built real cars...

1967 Buick LeSabre Commercial - Wouldn't you really rather have a Buick?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQKcYNqtUpA

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

trump will impose a 25 percent tariff on Japanese cars as soon as he gets back to the USA. He loves people sucking up to him and the announcement now would ruin this event.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

you can't find any vehicles made in Korea. Why is that?

Trump wants more Korean cars sold in Japan? When did Hannity declare that. But why is that the problem of the Japanese government?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Apple won the Japanese market, but you don't see Japanese people smashing iPhones in the streets

Yep, they can't do without them for even a few minutes.

Japan makes better cars than the USA, so people want to buy them

Are you saying the Nissan Infinity is better than the Tesla Model 3?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

YuriOtani: "Japan makes better cars than the USA, so people want to buy them."

Probably, but it's pretty hard to say definitively when every single car-maker in Japan is mired in massive safety and accounting scandals. Japan's cars get better mileage, but that's all. Beyond that, they are incredibly unsafe.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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