Zahid explains that Umno's cooperation in the unity government is focused on establishing stability, rather than submitting to DAP.
Gotta Get Rid of Those Tariffs: Ishiba's Plea for Tariff-Free Trade
Hey there! Let's talk about the frantic dance between Japan and the US over trade tariffs, shall we? It's a hot topic, and our man, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, is leading the charge.
In a casual chat on a Fuji Television morning program, Ishiba dropped a bombshell: he wants to see the elimination of all tariffs during trade negotiations with the US - yeah, you heard that right, no more taxes on trade!
Seems like the conversation's been flowing nicely, and Ishiba reckons the chemical between him and US President Donald Trump's been pretty sparky. He went on to say that the relationship has been a real surprise. However, he wasn't too pleased when the US inked a deal with London, which kept a baseline 10% tariff for British car exports in place. Ishiba believes that setting the bar higher than that might not be the best approach for both parties.
Cars can get pretty pricey when high import levies are in the picture, and Ishiba reckons his American friends are gonna get hit hard in the wallet if those tariffs aren't slashed. "For the sake of the American economy, shouldn't those tariffs be lowered?" he questioned.
On the other hand, the US is holding onto a 10% baseline tariff on imports, even after trade deals are struck. Trump mentioned there could be exemptions if countries offer juicy trade deals. As of now, Japan is dealing with a 25% tariff on auto exports to the US, and they're firing back with a 24% tariff on other Japanese goods.
In terms of giving a helping hand to the domestic economy, Ishiba hinted at the possibility of a reduction in consumption tax, but he's thinking twice about it. "If we suddenly lower the consumption tax, what happens to the country's finances?" he pondered. "We have to find other ways to help those truly in need."
So, there you have it - the ongoing tango between Japan and the US over auto tariffs. The negotiation table's been a busy place, but the gap between the two parties remains wide. The question is, will they find common ground or keep stepping on each other's toes? Only time will tell!
- Sources:
- The Japan Times
- CNBC
- The Guardian
- BBC News
- The Japanese Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, is advocating for the elimination of tariffs in trade negotiations with the US.
- Ishiba believes that a reduction in tariffs would benefit the US economy, citing the high costs associated with high import levies on cars.
- The US, led by President Donald Trump, is reportedly holding onto a 10% baseline tariff on imports even after trade deals are struck.
- Ishiba is also considering a reduction in consumption tax to help the domestic economy, but is cautious about the potential impact on the country's finances.
- The trade talks between Japan and the US have been ongoing, and the gap between the two parties remains wide.
- The ongoing negotiations over auto tariffs have been a hot topic in the general news and policy-and-legislation sectors of both countries.
- The US has recently inked a deal with London that kept a baseline 10% tariff for British car exports, which Ishiba feels could be detrimental to both parties if replicated in the Japan-US agreement.
