Donald Trump pressed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to have Japanese automakers produce more automobiles in the United States, according to a readout of their latest meeting provided by the U.S. ambassador to Japan on Saturday.
The two discussed latest public announcements by Japanese automakers, including Toyota Motor’s decision to invest more in U.S. plants.
“We talked about the need to see more movement in that direction but I think the president feels very positive that we will observe such movement because all the economics support that,” stated Ambassador William Hagerty.
Trump informed a campaign rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Saturday that Abe said Japan is going to invest $40 billion in U.S. car factories, though Trump did not provide details on the timeline for the planned investments.
Trump on Friday stated it is possible that the United States and Japan could accomplish a new bilateral trade deal by the time he visits Tokyo in May, but he and Abe cited areas where they differ on trade.
“We want to make sure that the U.S. has trading terms with Japan that are no less favorable than any other nation,” Hagerty stated in a phone call with reporters.
He added that Trump is preparing to attend the summit of the Group of 20 industrialized countries set to take place in Osaka, Japan in June.
Separately, Trump was optimistic trade discussions with China would be successful, the ambassador stated.
