U.S. President Donald Trump surprised Japan this week by diving into high-stakes trade discussions, claiming "big progress" in negotiations that have reignited concerns about global market stability. 👀 The talks, initially expected to focus narrowly on tariffs, expanded to include sensitive issues like Japan’s funding for U.S. military bases—a twist that left Tokyo scrambling.
🔍 Japanese officials viewed the meeting as preliminary, but Trump’s hands-on involvement signals a push to fast-track deals with multiple nations. The dollar rose 0.5% against the yen after negotiators clarified currency rates weren’t part of the talks—a relief for Japan, which denies manipulating the yen. 💹
🇯🇵 Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s team warned that Trump’s tariff policies could derail Japan’s fragile economic recovery. Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato called the measures a "deep concern," stressing risks to global trade and financial markets. 📉
🤝 With a second meeting planned this month, both sides are walking a tightrope: Trump seeks speedy results, while Japan vows "no major concessions." As tensions simmer, all eyes are on whether these talks can prevent a full-blown trade storm. ⚡
