Ishiba says no talk with Trump on vehicle tariffs at summit

Trump acknowledges Japan's US huge investment, task creation

LNG, steel, AI and vehicles are areas Japan can purchase US

Nippon Steel will run under US management, staff

Japan will not raise defence spending without public assistance

TOKYO, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed optimism on Sunday that his country could prevent higher U.S. tariffs, stating President Donald Trump had actually "acknowledged" Japan's substantial investment in the U.S. and the American tasks that it produces.

At his first White House top on Friday, Ishiba informed public broadcaster NHK, he explained to Trump the number of Japanese automakers were creating jobs in the United States.

The two did not specifically talk about auto tariffs, Ishiba said, links.gtanet.com.br although he said he did not understand whether Japan would be subject to the reciprocal tariffs that Trump has actually said he prepares to impose on imports.

Tokyo has up until now escaped the trade war Trump released in his first weeks in workplace. He has revealed tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China, although he postponed the 25% duties on his North American neighbours to permit talks.

The intensifying trade stress because Trump went back to the White House on January 20 threaten to rupture the worldwide economy.

Ishiba said he believes Trump "recognised the truth Japan has actually been the world's largest financier in the United States for five straight years, and is therefore different from other nations."

"Japan is producing lots of U.S. tasks. I believe (Washington) won't go straight to the idea of greater tariffs," he said.

Ishiba that Japan and the U.S. can prevent a tit-for-tat tariff war, worrying that tariffs should be put in location in a manner that "advantages both sides".

"Any action that makes use of or excludes the opposite will not last," Ishiba said. "The question is whether there is any problem in between Japan and the United States that warrants enforcing greater tariffs," he added.

Japan had the greatest foreign direct investment in the United States in 2023 at $783.3 billion, followed by Canada and Germany, according to the most recent U.S. Commerce Department data.

Trump pressed Ishiba to close Japan's $68.5 billion yearly trade surplus with Washington but expressed optimism this could be done quickly, provided a guarantee by Ishiba to bring Japanese investment in the U.S. to $1 trillion.

On Sunday, Ishiba determined melted gas, steel, AI and vehicles as locations that Japanese business could invest in.

He also discussed Trump's promise to take a look at Nippon Steel purchasing U.S. Steel, instead of purchasing the storied American company - a prepared purchase opposed by Trump and obstructed by his predecessor, Joe Biden.

"Investment is being made to guarantee that it remains an American company. It will continue to operate under American management, with American staff members," Ishiba said. "The essential point is how to ensure it remains an American company. From President Trump's point of view, this is of utmost significance."

On military costs, another location where Trump has actually pressed allies for boosts, Ishiba said Japan would not increase its defence budget without first winning public backing. "It is important to ensure that what is deemed necessary is something the taxpayers can understand and support," he said. (Reporting by Leika Kihara: Additional reporting by Tim Kelly