According to Japan's "Daily News", US President Trump held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru at the White House on February 7 local time. At the joint press conference after the talks, Ishiba Shigeru was asked by reporters "whether Japan would take retaliatory measures if the United States imposed tariffs on Japan". In response, Ishiba Shigeru did not give a direct answer, saying "I will not answer hypothetical questions".
Trump signed an executive order on February 1 local time, imposing a 25% tariff on products imported from Mexico and Canada. On the same day, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau announced a 25% tariff on US products worth 155 billion Canadian dollars, and Mexican President Sheinbaum also said that he had instructed the country's economic minister to respond with tariff and non-tariff measures. On February 3rd, local time, US President Trump said on social media that the tariffs on Canada will be suspended for 30 days. In exchange for postponing the tariffs, the Mexican and Canadian governments promised to implement relevant border security measures.
It is reported that when asked at a joint press conference with Ishiba Shigeru on February 7 whether the United States would impose tariffs on Japanese products, Trump said that he would announce next week that the United States would impose "reciprocal tariffs" on other countries. He said, "When other countries impose tariffs on us, we will do the same (impose tariffs at the same rate)." Trump did not specify whether the "reciprocal tariff" policy includes Japan, but he said that the United States and Japan will take measures to eliminate the current huge trade deficit between the United States and Japan.
On the other hand, when asked whether Japan would take retaliatory measures if the United States imposed additional tariffs on Japan, Ishiba Shigeru replied, "'I am afraid I cannot answer hypothetical questions', which is a common phrase used in Japanese parliamentary debates." The Mainichi Shimbun said that Ishiba Shigeru's statement was intended to avoid topics that may cause friction between the United States and Japan. However, in the eyes of Americans, Ishiba Shigeru's answer was humorous, causing laughter from American reporters present. Trump also smiled and said, "Good answer, what a good answer, he is really a wise man."