Japanese negotiators went home on Friday
  • Rentlar@lemmy.ca
    7·
    3 hours ago

    As someone who is good at reading between the lines of Japanese news reporting, here’s my translation of a Japanese news source on what is being discussed in tariff negotiations:

    アメリカ側は日本車の安全基準を見直すことなど要求を並べてきましたが、日本車にかかる関税25％を引き下げるつもりがあるのかなど、日本との交渉の方針は確認できなかったということです。

    (Translation: The American side lined up requests to review Japanese automobile safety standards, but there was no confirmation of whether there was intent to drop the 25% automobile tariffs, and no indication of where the negotiations with Japan would lead.)

    また日本への輸出を拡大したい農産物の品目に牛肉やコメ、魚介類、じゃがいもなどを列挙し、関税以外の障壁や制約を取り除くことも求めてきました。

    (Additionally, the US negotiators rattled off a list of products they requested to expand their exports to Japan of as well as to remove regulations/non-tariff barriers. This included beef, rice, seafood and potatoes.)

    赤沢大臣はこうした指摘に「優先順位をつけて示してほしい」と述べたということです。

    (In response to these pointers, Minister Akazawa stated “We would like these requests ranked by priority”.)

    So all in all, the US side seems to spend their time listing a bunch of grievances, the Japan side lending an ear to their concerns, but not sure where the give-and-take part of the negotiations is here.

  • boreengreen@lemm.ee
    40·
    15 hours ago

    This is what happens when you appoint all positions of power to unqualified people. Chaos, inefficiency and dysfuntion. Waste of tax payers money. Also no plan from the top.

  • orclev@lemmy.world
    115·
    19 hours ago

    You know that South Park episode where Japan is trying to use Pokemon to conquer the US and every time someone from the US goes to ask them about it they distract them by saying how huge their penis is? I can pretty much guarantee that tactic would work against Trump. Just tell him that he’s winning and how amazing he is and how much you’re being screwed over by him and he’ll be happy.

  • dan1101@lemm.ee
    63·
    19 hours ago

    It’s pointless to negotiate, just wait for him to get impeached or die.

    • michel@lemmy.ml
      1·
      27 minutes ago

      Negotiations might not be fruitful but if you know that going in, and it can stave off tariffs for a while it might be worth it really. Just set expectations accordingly - and prepare for the worst. And don’t give actual concessions

    • StinkyFingerItchyBum@lemmy.caEnglish
      12·
      13 hours ago

      He has no mind. He has no scruples. He has no honour or integrity. He is bound by no checks and balances, no competent court or rule of law.

      There are no negotiations to be had. No deal will be honored. No system to appeal to. You could not be more correct. Don’t bother answering the phone. Don’t bother signing anything. Don’t bother leadership meetings. Send the b team on a salvage operation but conceed nothing.

      Find better trade partners.

    • bassomitron@lemmy.worldEnglish
      21·
      17 hours ago

      Unfortunately, they’re one of our major trading partners, so their leaders don’t want to just throw their hands up if they can help it since they owe it to their own citizens to try to make their economic lives less shitty. Just sucks that the US is being led by an insane, incompetent fascist cult.

      • Pheonixdown@lemm.ee
        9·
        14 hours ago

        If your adversary says you better not do something, you should probably heavily consider doing it.

  • CosmoNova@lemmy.world
    18·
    17 hours ago

    Trying to have a conversation with the Trump administration is like trying to talk about politics, economics, the weather or whatnot with a conservative at the dinner table right now. It’s just not worth the effort because they do not listen. Ever.