politics

Trump urges Abe to balance U.S. deficit with Japan 'very quickly'

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It would be more interesting if Abe, or anyone, urged the USA to balance the trade deficit.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

F-35 fighters, buy another 100 Abe, and tanks too.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

No one has a gun to the heads if Americans (other than other Americans) forcing them to buy Japanese products. They WANT Japanese products and American companies can not be bothered with setting up shop in Japan, other than 7-11, and McDonalds (both succeeded--so why not more? Because they are too lazy and myopic.). What should Abe do? Stop all exports, end the trade deficit in a day? It shows how stupid Trump is but as he is soon going to jail for treason, it may not matter much!

4 ( +7 / -3 )

America doesn't make cars anymore. They make trucks and SUVs, vehicles totally unsuited to Japanese roads. Now, agriculture (particularly cheese, please!) is an area where Japan could do much better.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Don't worry, Abe will make a promise to 'seriously consider it' by... well, 2020's quickly become too close nowadays, but how about just at a later date? I'm sure whatever it is, it'll be kicked down the road until both of them are retired.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

How much longer with Japan be held hostage by the Great Satan? Perhaps it's Stockholm syndrome but I do hope this marvellous country will stand up to the US and its demon-in-chief.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

per capita the Japanese already consume more American products than visa versa, in order to “balance” the trade deficit the average Japanese consumer would have to consume triple the amount of US goods than they currently do, that’s just not feasible. But expecting Trump to understand basic nuance or logic is a lost cause. Abe if you want Trump off your back all you gotta do is sink some money into Kushners money pit real estate and he will do whatever you tell him to, worked for the Saudis

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I wonder if there is going to be a state wedding between Abe's face and Trump's butt..

2 ( +6 / -4 )

In a separate meeting also involving Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the three leaders agreed to advance the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, a move apparently aimed at countering China's rising clout in the region.

It marked the first summit involving the three major democracies.

Excellent

Please Mr Trump. Know who America's friends are and remember that even though there is a trade surplus in Japans favour, Japan is an ally. An ally for freedom in this part of the world. You've had a win on the defense deal. Can tone down the demands a touch. Big changes to trade flows take time and may not be possible.

"America First" cannot be "America Alone' unless you want "America Last'

2 ( +7 / -5 )

TheRatToday  08:06 am JST

No one has a gun to the heads if Americans (other than other Americans) forcing them to buy Japanese products. They WANT Japanese products and American companies can not be bothered with setting up shop in Japan, other than 7-11, and McDonalds

7-11 is Dallas headquartered but has been Japanese owned since 2005.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Maybe Trump doesn't realise militarising the Planet is not in the best interests of the remaining species, whereas Rivian & Tesla exports might be.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Trump was expected to push Abe

to give Sheldon Adelson, one of Trump's largest campaign contributors, the rights to build casinos in Japan.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Abe , you were elected by your peers to run the LDP, and in turn those peers were elected by their constituents , and with that vote it gave the LDP the responsibility of running Japan and looking after the future of Japan and its people, both at home and abroad. America is Trumps problem not yours, Japan and its people are your first priority. Diplomacy is not easy, something Trump knows nothing about, he just thinks he can bully and cudgel his way through anything. His attitude towards Japan and this successful part of the world amounts to ignorance and a total lack of how to do business within the Asian culture. As for the 100 fighter jets you have committed to buy, think about how that money could be spent in Japan, with all its domestic problems, and who would fly those jets, I can't see all university graduates queuing up to join the SDF just to be a Top Gun fighter, this almost 2019 not 1941. Japan does it fare share for America by hosting its bases, this is not to protect Japan, it's so the US has a presence in the region. So let Trump waffle, just keep working for the good of Japan, its people and for peace in the region.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Trump is in a hurry as he knows he won't be president much longer!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Great, a meeting between a Muslim-murdering Hindu nationalist, who's spending his country's money on sky-high statues instead of feeding the poor, a useless lapdog right-winger who wants to rule over Japan for several more terms just to make grandpa proud, and an unhinged selfish man-child with low IQ and utter disrespect for democracy. What could go wrong? Yeah, Xi must be trembling.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Trump tunning around knockin over tables like always and like he said he would.

Not a fan of his, but not one of politicians or his rivals either.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

What happens when you become dependent on exports of arms, weapons and military equipment? All of a sudden foreign conflicts become very important to you. It's like if you sell pills against obesity. You want people to be obese so they can buy your pills.

I wonder what does Trump think is going to happen if the so called ''trade deficit'' is ''balanced''? Does he think that is going to help Americans have a better standard of living? Or does he think more jobs are going to be created in the American export industries? Both assumptions are incorrect.

The problem with most people is that they look at an ''economy'' as an entity, but the economy is an actual real thing, it's an aggregate of individuals who buy and sell with each other for their own benefit. What is your trade deficit with the grocery store? You give them cash, you take their groceries. You both win.

If Trump really wants to increase the standard of living of Americans he should be focusing on cutting government spending. The inflation in America is killing people's savings, purchasing power and standards of living.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Yeah, like this is all Japan's fault.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

If Japan fails, Abe can't blame anyone but himself. His 5 years terrible extreme foreign policy consumed all 70 years Japanese capital since the end of WW2. Japan is marginalized, can't even have any say in Northeast Asia, let alone Indo-Pacific region. What can Japan do, other than sacrifice Japanese lives and happiness in any wars in Indo-Pacific Oceans ?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Trump is literally bullying countries in to buying American trash just because Americans need money. All they have to do is stop spending and buying so there debt will decrease. No one is forcing them to buy anything, it is their own choosing.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Let me enumerate some facts.

Japan promised to buy 17 Ospreys in the amount of $3.6 billion, 2 systems of Aegis Ashore $6 billion and 100 F35 stealth fighters $8.8 billion, totaling up to $18.4 billion. Add to this figure costs for the Henoko new base construction reportedly in the amount of $4.1 billion and Guam relocation costs (Japan's share) in the amount of $2.8 billion. The grand total will be: $25.3 billion

Since a trade surplus with the U.S., say, in 2017 amounted to $68.8 billion, Japan's real trade surplus vis-a-vis the U.S. was $43.5 billion, which represents a trade deficit for the U.S.. Will Japanese consumers buy more U.S. products to countermand this trade surplus vis-a-vis the U.S.?

I have a very pessimistic view. Japan may buy some more U.S.-made weaponry to our chagrin. But when it comes to consumer goods such as automobiles and electric appliances, I wonder if Japan's general consumers will buy U.S. goods willingly and enthusiastically enough as they used to in the past even though I really wish Japan would buy U.S.-made goods more rather than scary weapons.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It is not an easy job for Abe. But as long as it is quick and reasonable, Trump will make a deal.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

If Japan fails, Abe can't blame anyone but himself. His 5 years terrible extreme foreign policy consumed all 70 years Japanese capital since the end of WW2. Japan is marginalized, can't even have any say in Northeast Asia, let alone Indo-Pacific region. What can Japan do, other than sacrifice Japanese lives and happiness in any wars in Indo-Pacific Oceans ?

That is about as far away from reality as it gets.

Tightened security relations with U.S & Aus

Expanded economic cooperation with China and India

Lead a renewed push into financing SEA projects

Started work on a Russia-Japan peace treaty

Held firm on sanctions with North Korea, while also, not undermining the prospects for peace

Not quite there with South Korea relations, but its a hard nut to crack.

In what way has Abe been a negative for Japans foreign relations. All Japans foreign relations have improved, apart from, perhaps, South Korea.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

7-11 is Dallas headquartered but has been Japanese owned since 2005.

Ossan, 7-11 came to Japan as an American company, the Japanese subsidiary was so successful that it bought out the American 7-11. Maybe that is what scares American businessmen.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Trump is literally bullying countries in to buying American trash just because Americans need money. All they have to do is stop spending and buying so there debt will decrease. No one is forcing them to buy anything, it is their own choosing.

Exactly the point! Americans are the ones to blame.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Democraties under threat by politicians who are rather business clansmen, nationalistic, or and elitistic. Will this make it into the international news?

Will the 19plus1 encourage other G-20 members to provide a boost for the upcoming U.N. climate summit?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan give up US market and reduce export to USA.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I don't think that the penny has dropped in Japan yet, President Trump's is serious about this.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Im liking what I see. A president and his ambassador finally getting things done when it comes to Japan and China. We had one ambassador dancing and making youtube videos about Japan and another who was sobbing when the earthquake happened, about how he loved Japan, while other countries were getting their citizens out of Japan, no questions asked. Only later did the US offer a one way ticket to HK. I thought the day would never come where anybody in the gov would give a fart about US interest in Japan and were only here to enjoy the free vacation at tax expense. Glad to see our tax dollars finally at work.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Trump must be the best bully the US has ever had for a president. Abe should beat him at his game and put Japan's interests first by reminding him that globalisation works in both directions in trade, and he doesn't like it, too bad, because no one says trade has to balance.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Abe San, just tell trump to go back to his hometown of Israel

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

See what Brown-nosing gets you, Abe? More abuse. Nations like Canada, Germany, France, and others that stand up to Trump's nonsense deserve respect. Bending over backwards times a thousand like Japan, however... hell, even Trump, who ADORES those who make an effort to do so for him, thinks Japan is weak and is Walking all over us here.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Offer to buy American coal and oil at a premium, that'll quieten Trump, putting up domestic energy prices, rather than adding to Okinawa's problems by filling it with JapaneseWar Planes (F35s) !

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

kibousha, I hope Abe didn't miscalculate. F35 has nothing to do with trade. It is for the purpose to counter China and if Abe orders another 100, he will have to ask for another favor.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

This will be fixed within a few budgets, trade balance will be neutral. No need to panic or be upset about Trumps comment, like a few posters. Japan will continue to increase her purchases American military hardware and weapons, and surplus is gone. (Possibly Abe will also promise to purchase more USA made autos to please Trump, for example TESLAS)

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Trump is a very wonderful and decent person. He doesn’t want to have a big disagreement with Japan. He wants things done peacefully.

-14 ( +3 / -17 )

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