politics

U.S. seeks quick deal on tariff cuts with Japan

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Their food is crap, we don’t want it. Their cars are crap we don’t want them. Our PM is crap but he does what trump says.

if we are forced to buy their GM and hormone laden dangerous foods, then they should be forced to buy our irradiated Tohoku/Kanto produce.

I have always found food in the USA very wholesome a healthy. Many of my friends here in Japan seem to like it (and the price).

Their cars ate actally vey reliable and economical these days.

Nobody forces anybody to buy anything, it is the individuals choice.

By the way, are you saying that Tohoku/Kanto food is irradiated?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

There should be no deal with the USA. If they want good terms, let them join the TPP!

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Although Japan buys very few US autos Japan does manufacture most autos sold in USA in USA. In many cases Japanese autos have more USA content than what are considered domestic autos. Think overall a win win on Japan trade but some improvements should be made as many Japanese consumers would buy US products if no so heavily taxed.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

So E U is weak and East Asia is the future?

The currency Euro is doing fine and alliances nowhere else can nowhere to be seen.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Anyway, in the short term Trump can take advantage also by the division between East Asians. As we see on a daily basis, South Korea/Japan/China conflicts prevent the formation of an economic union similar to the EU. Actually, China knows that, and this is why it is trying to get closer to Japan. South Korea instead continues the anti-Japanese rethoric...

Trump is also taking advantage from the EU falling apart. The EU project was a good idea, but in this case the French-German leadership ruined everything, causing anti-EU feelings increase everywhere. In this complex scenario, for now Trump is basically a winner, mainly thanks to others' incompetence.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

There are huge opportunities in the primary agriculture business in Japan but not in producing a low margin, low value crop like rice.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Trump isn't completely stupid. He is trying to contein China before it becomes too strong. For this reason, he is using any way possible, also hurting his "allies" way more directly than the Democratics would do, without caring about diplomacy. If you ask me, this strategy in the short term is very good. Indeed, despite American economy never recovered really from Lehman Brothers disaster, your average American feel it improved thanks to Trump protectionism. Anyway, in my opinion in the long term his strategy will be a failure. China can be slowed, but it can't stopped. And American allies are already looking at China more positively exactly because of Trump pressure on them. In the long term, this can't be that good for America.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

America first will often actually lead to America last. Stupid Trump thinks he knows what he's doing! Wake up America!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Every country has a legitimate interest in preserving its own agricultural capacity.

Correction: Every agricultural industry has interest in preserving itself. The interest of the Japanese consumers is to have more alternatives and more choices so they can choose the cheapest one with the best quality. It is not in the interest of the Japanese people to have to pay high prices and have no alternatives.

It should not be a top priority, or any priority at all for the central government to take money from the people to support the farming industry just so they can keep living in the farm. In a dynamic economy, you move where the jobs are, it is not the job of the government to try to keep people in the farm. Japanese people pay something like 4 times more for agricultural products than the world market. This is neither raising their standards of living, nor helping them, it helps the agricultural industry on their expense.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

„While the United States is calling for a comprehensive pact that would cover a range of areas such as goods, services, investment and currency, Japan is insisting the two governments aim for a trade agreement on goods only.“

How does this agree with the headline, Kyodo news?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@JeffLee: in the same way South Korean and American consumers wouldn't be forced to buy Japanese fish even if the bans were lifted, but I noticed most JT users agree with South Korea and America position about it. So, if Japanese people fear hormone meat from the US, you should understand them.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

@goodlucktoyou

if we are forced to buy their GM and hormone laden dangerous foods...

Why would you be "forced"? The issue is about market access, not about dictating consumer behavior.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

As a self proclamated developing Country, South Korea can keep advantages about its fishery and agricultural industries, but you never hear Trump complaining about this.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

@AlexBecu: don't compare Japan to South Korea. The US never forced a Plaza Accord on Korea, plus, if you didn't know, South Korea can still keep the status of self proclamated "developing Country" in the WTO. If you ask me why the US treat South Korea so better than Japan, I think it's for two reasons: First, South Korea was never a true problem for American economy hegemony like Japan was in the 80s, and second, if South Korea economy crashed, people around the world couldn't see the difference between the Chinese supported North Korea, and the American supported South Korea. In other words, It would be bad propaganda for the US.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

Every country has a legitimate interest in preserving its own agricultural capacity. Especially an island nation like Japan which could be cut off from global shipping in the event of a conflict. Apart from food security, there's also the demographic boost because rural fertility rates are dramatically higher than anything seen in urban areas. Keeping farming communities populated and thriving should be a top priority, even if it requires tariffs and subsidies.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

The lost decades in Japan happened because of US. Our economy never recovered, Japan was %82 of US economy at the time, now its 1/4 that number after the unfair treaty sign.

2019 again their trying to slow down Japan, all those factories in US employing tens of thousands of Americans don't count, all the help provided to America including allowing them to use Okinama and mainland Japan, don't count. Helping in Iraq and Afghanistan, don't count.

Guess what Japan, S. Korea already got a pass. They managed to get a better deal than Japan could ever get in 100 years. Learn from Korea Japan, lessons to be learned there on how to play the political game correctly.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

Their food is crap, we don’t want it. Their cars are crap we don’t want them. Our PM is crap but he does what trump says.

Then don't buy them. If you don't want an American car, buy a Toyota. Even in America you see lots if people driving Japanese cars.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

I say NO! What about all of the American Tariffs on Japan? The treat for new Tariffs.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

This is all about food, so far, and the US has incredible farm subsidy programs, so I think they should put those on the table, first.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Apart from Abe, I doubt anyone else in Japan is in a hurry. America backed out of TPP, now it wants back in to the parts that favour the US. LOL

15 ( +16 / -1 )

Trump should not have pulled out of the TPP. After all, after the US had joined negotiations, it had been refashioned by American multinationals totally in their interests. US companies could sue Japan if they did not sell enough products. A lot of people in business were surprized that Trump pulled out.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Their food is crap, we don’t want it. Their cars are crap we don’t want them. Our PM is crap but he does what trump says.

if we are forced to buy their GM and hormone laden dangerous foods, then they should be forced to buy our irradiated Tohoku/Kanto produce.

-3 ( +16 / -19 )

Yes because if there's anything Japan is famous for, it's quick trade agreements!

9 ( +11 / -2 )

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