Tokyo – The new United States ambassador to Japan arrived in Tokyo on Friday and said he is optimistic that his country and his key Asian ally will reach an agreement in their continuous tariff negotiations.
George Glass, a prominent entrepreneur known for his background in finance, investment banking and technology, reaches the United States and Japan are negotiating the president Donald Trump’s Tariff measures, which have caused global concern for their impact on global economy and commerce.
“I am extremely optimistic … that an agreement will be made,” Glass told journalists after landing at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo.
His arrival comes a day after the two countries made their first round of tariff conversations among their main negotiators in Washington, where both parties agreed to try to reach an agreement as quickly as possible and hold a second round of meetings at the end of this month.
Trump, along with his main economic advisors, the Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Besent and the Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Attended the meeting With the Japanese delegation headed by the Minister of Economic Revitalization Ryosei Akazawa in the White House.
With his reputation as a merchant that is being tested, Trump probably wants to finish a series of commercial agreements as countries around the world seek to stop the damage to the United States rates.
Trump’s recent announcement of a 90 -day pause Temporarily saved Japan from 24% rates on the plate, but a 10% reference rate and a 25% tax on Imported cars, auto partsSteel and aluminum exports remain in place.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru ishiba He said that tariffs would hit Japan’s economy and cool the investment of Japanese companies in the United States and that the two parties should seek an agreement that benefits both.
Japan, a long -standing American ally, is among the first countries that began negotiating with Washington. Other American allies are closely watching their talks.
Glass said he is confident that an agreement can be reached because “the best and most brilliant” Japan and the United States officials are negotiating and Trump is personally involved in conversations, calling them their highest priority.
Trump is committed to “taking the new path with the American economy,” Glass said, added that tariff measures are part of his strategy. The national debt of $ 40 billion from the United States, said Glass, makes the country “unsustainable and that is the end of our economy if we continue to follow this path.”
Glass did not elaborate how he could help Tokyo and Washington to make their differences when he assumes his official duties on Monday. After a long flight, he said: “What I would like to do first is to go home and take a nap.”
