Japan proposes to increase purchases of US chips

Tokyo [Japan], May 29: Japan has proposed importing up to 1 trillion yen ($6.94 billion) worth of U.S. semiconductor products as part of tariff negotiations with Washington, the Asahi Shimbun reported on May 28, citing a source familiar with the matter.
To support large-scale chip purchases from US companies such as NVIDIA , the Japanese government plans to subsidize domestic companies. In addition, Japan has proposed measures to support the production of essential semiconductor components in the US such as wafers and chemical solutions. According to the source, Japan is using these proposals as a "negotiating chip" to address the US-Japan trade deficit, which currently stands at around 10 trillion yen.
Japan's chief trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa is expected to attend the fourth round of talks with US officials in Washington on May 30. Both sides hope to make progress before a meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada in mid-June.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper