Watch Live: Trump holds press conference with Japanese prime minister at White House | Global News Avenue

Washington – President Trump held a press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba after a meeting at the White House on Friday. When he praised Ishiba and provided warm words to the prime minister, Trump said he did not exclude tariffs on Japan.

“I made it clear that the United States will trade with all countries on the principles of fairness and reciprocity,” the president said. “The chronic trade deficit not only destroys our economy – they do it – … We have more than $100 billion in trade with Japan The deficit, but we will work hard to solve, I think very soon, frankly. We can do that. On oil and gas, we can solve it.”

The president also announced that Japan will receive new U.S. liquefied natural gas or liquefied natural gas “with record numbers.”

On another topic, reporters asked why Doge needed access to Americans’ personal information, such as bank accounts and social security numbers, and the president seemed to support Doge’s efforts while showing that it did not require data.

“Okay, no, but they’re easy to get, I mean our country isn’t very safe,” Trump said.

The president also confirmed that he had asked Musk to review each federal agency because he was aiming for a significant cut.

“Pentagon, education, almost everything,” he said. “We have to go through everything.”

“After today’s meeting, I’m confident that the precious alliance between our two countries and other countries will continue to flourish,” Trump said in his opening speech. “Military cooperation between the United States and Japan is our closest One of the security partnerships, it is one of the closest places in the world.

Mr Trump said the two leaders talked about their economic and trade relations, noting that Japan’s large investment in the U.S. says Japan will have some “competition” as other countries are also eager to invest in the U.S.

Ishiba said through a translator that their discussion was “candid” and “productive”. The two leaders said they will issue a joint statement from Japan, which will serve as a compass. “I look forward to working with President Trump, and I have great respect to it to welcome a new golden age of Japan-US relations,” the Japanese leader said.

Trump discusses U.S. steel, tariffs, automobile issues, national security with Japanese Prime Minister

In the press conference, although former President Joe Biden refused to merge with Mr. Trump, the main problem that would arise during Mr. Trump’s meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister was getting a deal for U.S. steel. Previous Commitment Block transactions.

Mr. Trump told reporters on Friday that he has not changed his mind about U.S. steel, but multiple sources said he is considering allowing Japan’s Japanese Steel to complete its $14.1 billion U.S. steel acquisition. The approval of the deal is uncertain and Mr. Trump has not yet made a final decision, sources said. Mr. Trump told reporters on Friday that he and the Japanese Prime Minister will discuss the U.S. steel agreement.

Mr. Trump met with U.S. Steel CEO David Burritt at the White House on Thursday. Biden gives medicine Stops US steel sales Arrive at Nippon Steel last month. U.S. Steel and Japan Steel have filed lawsuits over the Biden administration’s decision to prevent Japan Steel from taking over its Pittsburgh rivals.

“The United States is proud of our long and close alliance with Japan, and it is time to build new Japanese relations to bring peace and prosperity to the Indo-Pacific,” a senior government official told reporters on the phone. “Our two The state will continue to work together to ensure that we block threats in the region through our various military capabilities.”

Friday was the first face-to-face meeting between Mr. Trump and Ishiba.

Mr. Trump’s appearance in Japan’s prime minister is his second meeting and joint press conference this week with foreign leaders. On Tuesday, Mr. Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and said the United States wants to control and “own” the Gaza Strip.

Ishiba may convince Mr. Trump not to impose any tariffs on Japanese goods because Mr. Trump exercises his power to impose tariffs on countries he believes are not fair to the United States.

The United States and Japan have close financial ties, and Japan is the largest resource for direct investment in the United States

A senior government official said their discussion topics would include training exercises and increased cooperation on defense equipment and technology, foreign investment in the United States, energy exports and ways to cooperate in increasing space risks, etc.

Mr. Trump grew up with former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated in 2022. Mr. Trump presided over the legacy of Shinzo Abe in December on his Mar-A-Lago legacy.

Contributed to this report.