Tag - trade

 
 

TRADE

U.S. President Donald Trump is seen on a giant screen during his address by video conference at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jan 25, 2025
Trump spurs surprise world rally in first week on trade respite
U.S. President Donald Trump's decision not to immediately slap tariffs on U.S. trade partners triggered the surprising market response.
U.S. President Donald Trump takes the stage with Vice President JD Vance after being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States during the presidential inauguration in Washington on Monday.
EDITORIALS
Jan 24, 2025
Japan should prioritize free trade as it adapts to Trump’s policies
It is difficult, if not impossible, to know what Trump and his administration will do in specific situations. Words and documents are one thing, actions another.
Shipping containers at an industrial port in the Keihin Industrial Zone in Kawasaki. Japanese businesses see a larger role for Japan if global trade breaks down and multilateral trade institutions become less effective without U.S. participation.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 23, 2025
Japan contemplates global free-trade leadership as U.S. goes protectionist
Tokyo could find opportunity in the turmoil while avoiding direct confrontation with Washington.
Japan's exports gained 2.8% in December from a year ago, led by chipmaking machinery and semiconductor parts, government data shows.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 23, 2025
Japan’s exports rose in December ahead of anticipated Trump tariffs
Exports measured in value gained 2.8% from a year ago led by chipmaking machinery and semiconductor parts, although shipments fell in terms of volume.
U.S. President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Monday.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 23, 2025
As Trump threatens tariffs, his orders kick off more extensive trade overhaul
The U.S. president's executive order on trade touched on sweeping changes to rules that have governed U.S. trade policy for decades.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone shake hands in the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 22, 2025
Japan and Laos agree to arrange vice ministerial security talks
The two countries also issued a joint statement calling for upgrading their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
U.S. President Donald Trump reviews troops during his inauguration ceremony at the Capitol in Washington on Monday.
WORLD / Politics / FOCUS
Jan 21, 2025
'America first' returns as Trump ditches focus on allies and rules-based order
The U.S. under his new administration will be a dominating force that will take whatever steps necessary to advance American interests, the newly inaugurated president said.
U.S. President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 21, 2025
Trump seizes control: his executive actions, from tariffs to immigration
Actions so far include pardoning nearly all charged over the 2021 Capitol riot, rescinding 78 orders by the previous administration, and again exiting the Paris Agreement.
During his first term, U.S. President Donald Trump took a hard line against China. As Trump takes office again, this confrontation is likely to continue and potentially escalate over issues such as Taiwan and economic security interests.
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
Jan 20, 2025
Politics and the economy: Bedfellows of U.S.-China relations
Since Trump's first term, China has shown its willingness to use aggressive economic measures in its confrontation with the U.S., setting the stage for a potential escalation.
Economists, legal experts and business leaders concur that incoming U.S. President Donald Trump's pledge to implement fresh tariffs — whether directly aimed at Japan or not — could hurt the country's export-reliant machinery and automobiles industries while shattering the global economy.
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Jan 20, 2025
Japanese firms weigh fallout from Trump tariff pledges
Additional tariffs — whether directly aimed at Japan or not — could hurt its export-reliant machinery and automobiles industries while shattering the global economy.
A cartoon image of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump holding a Bitcoin token to mark the cryptocurrency reaching over $100,000 is displayed at a Coinhero store in Hong Kong on Dec. 5.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jan 20, 2025
Trump’s win sparked euphoria in markets — now comes the real test
A reversal was first apparent in the stock market, where the S&P 500 Index gave back a solid chunk of its "Trump bump.”
Although direct Chinese exports to the U.S. have shrunk a little in importance over the past four years, the world’s largest economy is still the most important source of final demand for China.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 20, 2025
China faces Trump’s return just as reliance on exports soars
China’s record trade surplus of nearly $1 trillion last year was equivalent to more than 5% of its gross domestic product.
Then-U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo in May 2019.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jan 19, 2025
As Trump returns, will Japan be able to weather the storm?
Tokyo may be surprisingly more suited to work with Trump — and beat back any exorbitant demands — than it was during his first stint.
Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump in Tokyo march ahead of the inauguration of then President-elect Joe Biden on Jan 20, 2021.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 17, 2025
Japan has nothing to fear from Trump — except in maybe one area
Japan is far better positioned in the areas most important to Trump than many other countries. If Shinzo Abe were still alive, Japan would be in a great place.
The Nvidia headquarters in Santa Clara, California
BUSINESS / Tech
Jan 14, 2025
White House unveils new curbs on exporting Nvidia AI chips
The rules, which are set to take effect in one year, establish caps on the amount of computing power that can be sold to most countries.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks to reporters after a three-way virtual summit with U.S. President Joe Biden and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 13, 2025
Ishiba urges Biden to dispel concern about investment in U.S.
Japanese firms invested almost $800 billion in the United States in 2023, more than any other country, and 14.3% of the total, according to official U.S. data.
Then-U.S. President Donald Trump meets with then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Group of 20 leaders summit in Osaka in June 2019.  Though Trump's first term in office was not as earth-shattering for Japanese companies as many feared, it would be a mistake to assume his second will be the same.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 13, 2025
Trump 2.0 presents new challenges for Japanese companies
Another challenge for Japanese firms will be that Trump, his Cabinet by and large and many key advisers are China hawks.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivers a statement after meeting with the National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons in Washington on Thursday.
WORLD / Politics
Jan 13, 2025
Canada has counter-tariffs ready if Trump launches trade war, Trudeau says
Canada buys more U.S.-made goods than any other country, according to U.S. Commerce Department export data — about $320 billion in the first 11 months of last year.
The additional sanctions against Russia "are to contribute to international efforts for peace," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Friday at the Prime Minister's Office.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 10, 2025
Japan expands its sanctions against Russia
Japan will also ban the export of 335 more goods, including small motorcycles, to Russia starting on Jan. 23.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi (second from right) addresses a ministerial meeting held Friday at the Prime Minister's Office to discuss measures to boost exports of farm produce and food products.
BUSINESS
Jan 10, 2025
Japan to step up efforts to increase food exports
The government will support efforts by Japanese food-related companies to team up with foreign businesses.

Longform

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan