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Donald Trump arrived this Saturday, May 25 in Japan for a four-day visit. The US president called on Japanese investors to increase their presence in the United States and once again called for a rebalancing of trade relations between the two countries. No concrete progress on the trade issue, which preoccupies the US President, should be expected.
Even mobilized and focused on the trade war he is waging against China, the US president spares little in his communication the other major economic partners of the United States. The tone is simply less vehement, but it remains firm.
Shortly after his arrival in Tokyo, Donald Trump attended a meeting with leaders of major Japanese groups, including those of the automotive sector, organized just after his landing in the late afternoon. President Trump told them that the weather has never been better than today to invest in the United States.
" Japan has had a tremendous advantage for many, many years, but it's OK and maybe that's why you love us so much, " said the number one American, who spoke about bilateral agreement under negotiation. But it will become " a little bit more accurate, " he added.
On the sidelines of this visit, talks were held Saturday night between Japanese Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. At the end of this meeting, Mr. Motegi found in front of the press " a deepening " of mutual understanding between the two parties " without it means that their positions are in perfect harmony ".
" We agreed that we needed to make efforts to reach an agreement soon (...), but I do not think we will sign it on the 27th, " said the Japanese minister.
As far as the automobile industry is concerned, the sector relies heavily on the American market. Donald Trump postponed the imposition of additional tariffs on imports of Japanese and European cars last week . But the US president had also said that the US dependence on the foreign auto industry posed a threat to his national security. This statement had angered Japanese automakers, such as the Toyota group, which has factories on US soil, where it holds about 14% of the market share.