Trump to meet Japanese premier in Canada to push tariff talks

ISTANBUL

US President Donald Trump and Japanese Premier Shigeru Ishiba will meet next week in Canada to advance trade talks focused on tariffs, Japan confirmed Friday following a 20-minute phone call between the two leaders.

“We confirmed that we will further deepen our discussions on bilateral cooperation when we meet next week on the occasion of the G7,” Ishiba told reporters, according to Kyodo News.

The summit, held in Alberta between Sunday and Tuesday, marks the 50th anniversary of the Group of Seven’s first gathering.

According to Japan’s Foreign Ministry, the two leaders agreed to “accelerate” ministerial negotiations “in order to achieve a mutually beneficial agreement for both Japan and the US.”

Ishiba reiterated Japan’s longstanding opposition to US auto tariffs, stating that Tokyo’s position on eliminating higher import duties remains unchanged.

Japan has called for the removal of Washington’s 25% tariff on cars. While a reciprocal 24% tariff was suspended, the US still applies a 10% baseline duty along with additional levies on steel and aluminum.

The two also discussed regional security, including “Israel's recent attacks against Iran,” and agreed that “peace and stability in the Middle East are of paramount importance,” the ministry said.

This was the 3rd phone conversation between Trump and Ishiba since May 29. It came as Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa traveled to Washington for the sixth round of US-Japan trade negotiations -- his fourth visit in the current talks.