Ishiba in Japan says he will pressure for American automobile prices

Tokyo (AP) – Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Tuesday that his government was making the last efforts to encourage US President Donald Trump to exclude his country from an increase in car rates due to taking effect From Wednesday.

Ishiba told journalists that he was ready to go to Washington to negotiate directly with Trump. The United States will start collecting 25% prices on automotive imports Thursday, with fully imported cars that are launching at midnight in the United States. The prices should extend to automobile parts applicable in the coming weeks.

So far, Japan has failed to win exemptions From the list of prices despite its status as the greatest American ally in Asia. Japan has intensified cooperation With other countries that are also affected. The Japanese trade ninister Yoji Muto flew to Seoul to meet his counterparts in South Korea and China and has agreed to promote free and fair trade and investment, saying that Trump’s trade policies feed protectionism.

The highest rates are a concern for Japan and the main car manufacturers like Toyota Motor Corp. And Honda Motor Co. their exports to the United States is a major engine for the Japanese economy. A quarterly investigation by the Japan Bank Tuesday published showed that the feeling of companies among major manufacturers has worsened in the last quarter for the first time in a year.

“I don’t mind going to Washington, if necessary,” said Ishiba.

He said those responsible for all related ministries, including foreigners, trade and finance, work “day and night”, to negotiate with their American counterparts to solve the problem. “When I see the overall image and judge that it is appropriate for me to leave, I must do it without hesitation,” he said.

If the prices are imposed, he said that the government would do what it had to minimize their impact on Japanese industries and jobs.

As short -term measures, the government plans to set up 1,000 consultation windows across the country to respond to the concerns of small automotive automobiles and other manufacturers who are affected by the increase in American rates.

In the event of damage to real companies, the government will do its best to support business owners short of money, said Ishiba.