Donald Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe talk trade, North Korea and sumo wrestling

[soryang]

David Jackson, USA TODAY April 26


https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/04/26/donald-trump-japanese-pm-shinzo-abe-discuss-trade-north-korea/3589791002/

In the meantime, Trump said, “we have a very big trade negotiation going on right now with Japan,” a prospective deal that dominates the two-day summit between the U.S. and Japanese leaders.

Early in his administration, Trump killed off the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a mega-trade deal that would have included the U.S., Japan and 10 other countries. Trump said he preferred bilateral trade agreements with other countries, and now U.S. and Japanese negotiators have stepped up talks about a deal of their own.

U.S. officials want Japan to remove tariffs on American agricultural products, while Japan seeks to avoid having U.S. tariffs on its car exports.

In video coverage of the press conference in the white house, Abe seemed taken aback when Trump suggested the trade deal could be finished by the time of his visit in May. There is an upper house election in July that is critical to Abe and the LDP. He may call for a snap “double election” in the lower house to maintain control of the government. Quickly making concessions to Trump on trade is not likely to be a priority for him.

“The most likely government strategy will be to maximize the benefits it can gain from the rising celebratory mood that will come with the (May 1) transition to a new era and the Group of Seven summit (in June) — not to mention (U.S. President Donald) Trump’s expected state visit to Japan” next month, said Norihiko Narita, a professor emeritus of political science at Surugadai University.

Political observers have noted that LDP losses in the recent by-elections bode ill for the Abe administration, regardless of efforts by party officials to minimize the fallout.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/04/22/national/politics-diplomacy/abe-likely-use-showmanship-distract-japanese-public-election-routs-experts-say/#.XMc-9bdKi00