Japanese PM vows not to 'easily compromise' on Trump tariffs

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Sunday that he won't "easily compromise" in talks with Washington as Tokyo seeks to avert United States President Donald Trump's threat to impose tariffs of up to 35 percent on Japanese goods.

"We will not easily compromise. That's why it is taking time and why it is tough," Ishiba told a television talk show.

His comments came as Japan rushes to negotiate with the Trump administration before the Wednesday deadline for trade deals.

While Trump imposed a sweeping 10 percent tariff on most trading partners in April, he unveiled – then paused – higher rates on dozens of economies, including Japan, to allow room for negotiations.

This pause will expire July 9, meaning the elevated rates are due to kick in for countries that fail to reach agreements with Washington to avert them.

Trump has said he would be writing to ask Japan to "pay a 30 percent, 35 percent or whatever the number is that we determine," and called the bilateral trade relation "unfair."

He has particularly pressed Japan to accept more U.S. automobiles and rice.

Ryosei Akazawa, Tokyo's trade envoy, held telephone calls with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday and Saturday.

In the Sunday television show, Ishiba reiterated that Japan, as the biggest investor nation in the U.S. economy, should be treated differently from other countries.

"What is unfair? How is it unfair? We need to examine each one (of the U.S. claims)," he said.

"We are allies, but we have to say what we have to say. We are the world's largest investor nation and the largest job creator (in the U.S.). We are different," he said.

On another Sunday television show, Ishiba said Japan was "preparing to deal with all kinds of situations," when asked about how he plans to deal with Trump's letter.