Trump Joins Japan Trade Talks, Negotiations on Tariffs Expected

US President Donald Trump has taken a direct role in trade negotiations with Japan, signaling the high stakes of ongoing tariff disputes and the urgency to finalize new trade agreements. The talks, which include top US economic officials, focus on tariffs, military cost-sharing, and broader issues like currency and regional security. Trump placed a 90-day pause on sweeping tariffs for Japan, though significant levies remain on cars, steel, and aluminum, putting pressure on Japanese exports and prompting companies like Honda to shift some production to the US. Japanese officials, led by economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa, aim for a 'win-win' outcome while safeguarding national interests, as Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has called the situation a 'national crisis.' The negotiations are seen as a test case for similar talks with other countries affected by US tariffs, with the World Trade Organization warning of potentially severe global economic consequences if current policies persist. The outcome could influence not only bilateral economic ties but also collective efforts to apply pressure on China.