Japan and China resumed economic talks in Tokyo on Saturday—their first in six years—in an effort to ease tensions between the two countries amid growing trade pressure from the United States.
When asked if U.S. tariffs were part of the discussions, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said they were not a central focus in any of Saturday’s meetings.
He added that Japan and South Korea had agreed to maintain close cooperation and keep open communication with the U.S., following separate talks held with South Korea earlier that day.
He did not provide details on what was discussed with China’s Wang concerning U.S. tariffs.
As a ps, I posted this on Friday:
Daines met with China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng on Saturday and will meet with Premier Li Qiang on Sunday. The reports on Saturday’s meeting didn’t really contain much of substance. The two will have discussed trade relationships. We await any constructive news. Trump has so far jacked up tariffs on China by 20%, so there is a lot of work to be done.
Say analysts at HSBC:
- “It is notable that the only US tariffs that have not been delayed or alleviated are those imposed on China on February 4 and March 4″
