Trump Urges Japan to Correct Trade Imbalances with U.S.

December 1, 2018

Buenos Aires--U.S. President Donald Trump at a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday called on the Asian country to work on further correcting the bilateral trade imbalances, while citing a recent decrease in the U.S. deficit in trade with Japan.

At the 35-minute talks in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires, the two leaders agreed to make efforts for further expanding trade between Japan and the United States so that both countries can reap benefits.

Trump said that the U.S. trade deficit with Japan is "massive," but is "coming down."

Pointing to the Japanese government's plan to purchase more F-35 cutting-edge stealth fighters, Trump said, "We appreciate it very much." He said he will work with the prime minister to reduce the U.S. deficit, calling for more efforts by Japan.

On the United States' retaliatory tariffs on products from China, Abe conveyed to the U.S. leader Japan's position that a tit-for-tat trade battle will benefit no country, asking the world's two biggest economies to act calmly.

Abe and Trump confirmed close cooperation between their countries to encourage China to play a constructive role in a range of areas, including the world economy and regional stability.

This was the ninth bilateral summit between Abe and Trump. In the previous meeting, held in New York in September, they agreed on the launch of bilateral trade negotiations.

At Friday's meeting, Abe and Trump spent much time on economic issues as the Japan-U.S. trade negotiations are seen starting as early as in January 2019.

Trump said that he is being asked by Japan's government to visit the country when Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito accedes to the throne next year, noting that he is "very honored to be invited." He said, "I'll be going to a tremendous event in Japan."

Abe and Trump also affirmed cooperation for the early resolution of the issue of North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals decades ago.

Issues related to Russia-Ukraine tensions were not on the agenda, according to sources with access to the meeting.

The Abe-Trump meeting was joined by Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, who doubles as finance minister, and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

The bilateral summit took place on the sidelines of a two-day summit of the Group of 20 advanced and emerging economies in Buenos Aires from Friday. Jiji Press