No plan to negotiate $550b package: Japan

Takaichi backtracks from remarks that tariff renegotiation with US is not off table

Japan's Internal Affairs Minister Sanae Takaichi attends a news conference at Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's official residence in Tokyo, Japan September 11, 2019. PHOTO: REUTERS

GYEONGJU, SOUTH KOREA:

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Saturday that she had no plans to renegotiate a $550 billion investment package deal reached with the United States.

"I believe that even if the prime minister changes, promises made between governments should not be altered," Takaichi told reporters at the end of a week of diplomatic events including a summit with US President Donald Trump. Takaichi declined to comment on a trade deal that South Korea had inked with the United States as details of the deal have not been disclosed yet.

Before becoming prime minister last month, Takaichi had said that tariff renegotiation with Washington was not off the table if something came up that seemed unfair and hurt Japan's national interests.

Hardline conservative Takaichi was elected Japan's first female prime minister, breaking a political glass ceiling for women while also setting the country up for a decisive turn to the right.

In Gyeongju, South Korea, Takaichi joined other leaders from around the Asia-Pacific region for an annual gathering and met Chinese President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. Takaichi said on Saturday that she and Xi had agreed to build a constructive and stable relationship. Xi told Takaichi that the two countries should not be a threat to each other, according to Chinese state media.

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