The appointment came hours after Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and US President Donald Trump agreed in their phone talks on April 7 to continue bilateral tariff negotiations through their ministers.
President Donald Trump holds up a chart on tariffs while speaking during a trade announcement event in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 2 in Washington, DC. (Photo: forbes.com)
Tokyo (VNA)ꦐ – Japanese Minister in charge of Economic Revitalization Ryosei Akazawa has been appointed as trade negotiator with the US on tariff issues, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, the top government spokesman, said on April 8.
The appointment came hours after Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and US President Donald Trump agreed in their phone talks on April 7 to continue bilateral tariff negotiations through their ministers.
Ishiba is considering another visit to the US for discussions with US President Trump "at the most appropriate timing", with progress in ministerial-level talks being a key consideration, Hayashi said.
Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who was assigned to lead trade talks with Japan, said in a statement on social media X the same day that he intended to negotiate with his Japanese counterpart not only on tariffs but also exchange rates.
Hayashi said that Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato will be in charge of negotiations with the US Treasury Secretary regarding the exchange rate issue.
Also on April 8, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that the country will send officials to the US to initiate discussions on the 24% tariffs recently imposed on goods imported from the Southeast Asian country.
Speaking at an investment conference, Anwar said that Malaysia’s trade with the US has long been a model of mutual gain, thus the new tariffs might have a negative impact on both economies.
The PM said that Malaysia will act through quiet dialogue on a constructive basis, and affirmed that it will coordinate with ASEAN countries - currently chaired by Malaysia - to organise a delegation to the US for negotiations./.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his visiting counterpart Ishiba Shigeru on January 10 agreed to strengthen ties to ensure regional security based on the rule of law and build robust supply chains, seeking to cement their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru began a four-day trip to Malaysia and Indonesia on January 9, as Tokyo aims to strengthen economic and security ties with the Southeast Asian nations, according to Kyodo News.
Malaysia signed two memoranda of understanding (MoU) with Japan on February 22 to strengthen halal trade and investment, and create more jobs in the sector.
The article stressed that throughout his revolutionary career, the founder of modern Vietnam consistently regarded the revolutionary press as a vital part of the Vietnamese Party’s and nation’s revolutionary struggle.
Pichai said the trade talks with the US are important and need to move forward professionally, without regard for any political changes in Thailand, believing that Thailand has clear principles, guidelines and procedures in place.
The tax adjustment supports the Malaysian Government’s strategy to reduce reliance on foreign food supply chains and to assist domestic farmers, a finance official has said.
The proposed venue is located in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok, featuring eight public sites, including Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal and several nearby parks.
Connectivity is expected to improve further with the completion of the fifth Laos–Thailand Friendship Bridge by the end of 2025, facilitating logistics and agricultural exports to Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
Two naval gunboats intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 1.5 tonnes of methamphetamine hydrochloride off the coast of the main island of Luzon just before dawn, in a joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
In the today context of socio-economic development and growth, the professionalism of Vietnam’s revolutionary journalists continues to rise, guided by exemplary mastery of new information technologies and the modernisation of their founding principles to preserve the enduring values of revolutionary journalism.
Thai Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Vuttikrai Leewiraphan Thailand's formal proposal will be substantial enough for the US to consider further detailed negotiations. He hoped for a tariff rate not exceeding 10% and suggested that the US might extend the negotiation period if an agreement is not reached by the July 8 deadline.
Organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Association of Thai Silk & Culture Promotions, the event honors Her Majesty the Queen on her 47th birthday anniversary and promotes Thai craftsmanship on an international stage.
Prensa Latina's recent article on Vietnam’s assurance of smooth and effective transition to a leaner structure highlighted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s latest directions on implementing 28 resolutions regarding the decentralisation and delegation of authority.
The lab focuses on four key thematic areas: energy transition and green innovation, sustainable agriculture, circular economy and sustainable cities, and nature-based solutions and biodiversity.
The key content of the document titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges" will be refined further in a seminar preceding the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.
This follows Telegram’s serious failure to address the content that has been repeatedly reported to them, despite various efforts of negotiation and cooperation made by MCMC, it said.
Efforts to empower women must transcend dialogue and translate into concrete commitments, including corporate pledges and government partnerships, according to the spouse of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The forum featured two in-depth discussion sessions, engaging representatives from governments, think tanks, and businesses from both ASEAN and China, on how to forge closer ties for a common future.
The new FIFA Hub in Jakarta will not only support football development in Indonesia but also serve as a coordination centre for 21 football associations across Southeast and East Asia.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen reaffirmed Vietnam’s principled and consistent stance on the Palestine issue, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire across the entire Gaza Strip.
PM Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the determination of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, to utilise all viable regional mechanisms of the bloc and work with partners to de-escalate violence and restore a peace process led by Myanmar.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
