Washington D.C, (TDI): Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and United States President Donald Trump held a joint press conference at the White House on February 8. During the conference, the two leaders spoke on defence, bilateral trade agreements, steel industry partnership, foreign direct investment (FDI), and energy investments.
Shigeru Ishiba in the U.S
Japan’s Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, during his official visit to the U.S., met with the U.S. President Donald Trump on February 7, 2025. This meeting marked their first bilateral summit, and they discussed various aspects of the Japan-U.S. alliance. Later, both leaders also attended a Joint Press Conference
President Trump while appreciating the friendship between the US and Japan said on X,
“For nearly 80 years the American and Japanese people have enjoyed a friendship like few others… After our meeting today, I’m confident that the cherished alliances between our two countries… will continue to flourish long into the future.” –President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸🇯🇵 @JPN_PMO
— President Donald J. Trump (@POTUS) February 8, 2025
Discussing a possible increase in Japanese Investment in the United States, the Japanese Prime Minister said.
“I intend to elevate Japan’s investment in the United States to an unprecedented amount of $1 Trillion.”
This investment aligns with Japan’s strategic focus on U.S-Japan trade relations, foreign direct investment, and economic growth, benefiting both nations.
The two leaders opened about economic cooperation, recognizing the significance of their bilateral economic relations. They expressed their desire to strengthen economic cooperation, including economic security, and cooperation to elevate their economic partnership to the next ground.
Furthermore, the US President also showed his interest in partnering with the Japanese Steel Company, Nippon Steel to bolster the economies of Japan and U.S.
President Donald Trump said,
“Nippon Steel is going to be doing something very exciting about U.S. Steel”
Moreover, Trump also gave a hint that next week he will be meeting with the head of Nippon Steel for further negotiations regarding the possible partnership.
Read more: Blinken Visits Japan Amid Steel Deal Tensions
He also clarified that we will not be forcibly capturing the companies but rather creating an environment of partnership and mutual production that will benefit both.
Regarding the education system in the U.S, Trump said,
“We spend more per person on education than any other country spends. Still, we are ranked at last. I want to see CHOICE in education and education returned to STATES.”
In a press conference, Trump also mentioned that the Japanese had expressed interest in an investment of $44 billion in gas pipelines in Alaska. According to Trump, the U.S. has more oil and gas reserves than Saudi Arabia while this is an amazing phenomenon that took place over the last four years to the U.S. gas production units.
President Ishiba also mentioned the investment plans by Japanese automaker companies, Toyota and Isuzu.
President Ishiba was also asked about the possibility of tariffs by the United States, to which he responded,
“I am unable to respond to such a theoretical question.”
