The fifth economy of the world is holding up in the commercial war with Trump: We will not give up easy, we are the biggest investors in the USA

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he will not “easily give up” in commercial negotiations with Washington, in the context of Punitive customs taxes imposed by Donald Trump are to come into effect on Wednesday, France Presse reports.

“We will not give up easily. That's why it lasts so long and it is so difficult,” Ishiba told television on Sunday.

Japan, the fifth greatest economy in the world, tries to reach an agreement with the United States before Wednesday, the date stipulated for the entry into force of the heavy customs taxes imposed by the US president to his country's commercial partners.

Donald Trump revealed in April, then suspended, the largest overtax against dozens of countries, including Japan, granting a deadline for July 9 for negotiations.

He explained that he would write a letter to Tokyo, asking to “pay 30%, 35% or any other percentage” that will be chosen by his administration, qualifying bilateral commercial relations as “unfair”.

The US president especially wants Japan to import more cars and rice from the United States.

Japan's position: We're the biggest investors in the US

On Sunday, Shigeru Ishiba repeated that his country should be treated differently from the others, as he is the first foreign investor in the American economy.

“Why would it be unfair? In what way is it unfair?” He asked.

“We are allies, but we have to say what we have to say. We are the nation that invests the most and which creates the most jobs (in the United States). We are different,” he said.

Japanese trade for trade, Akazawa Ryosei, held on Thursday and Saturday's telephone discussions with US Secretary Howard Lutnick to try to advance in negotiations.