Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced on Friday that he held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, during which both leaders agreed to pursue “productive” dialogue in upcoming trade negotiations focused on tariffs.

Speaking to reporters after the 45-minute conversation, Ishiba emphasized Japan’s firm stance on recent U.S. tariff measures, reiterating Tokyo’s commitment to encouraging Japanese investment in the United States as an alternative path to addressing economic concerns. “Investment, not tariffs,” Ishiba stated, summarizing his message to the U.S. president.

The conversation between the two leaders took place as Japan’s Economic Revitalisation Minister, Ryosei Akazawa, headed to Washington for the third round of bilateral trade talks. Earlier rounds have ended without significant progress, as the U.S. has resisted Japan’s appeals to remove recently imposed tariffs.

Ishiba said he once again urged the U.S. administration to eliminate all tariffs levied on Japanese imports, particularly those affecting the automotive sector—a pillar of Japan’s export-driven economy. While Trump did not offer a specific response to the request, Ishiba described the overall tone of the conversation as constructive.

The U.S. currently imposes a 25% tariff on imported automobiles, a measure that has drawn criticism from Tokyo for its potential impact on Japan’s industrial output and trade surplus. While some relief has been provided on auto-related duties, tariffs on steel and aluminum remain in effect.

“The discussions were frank, and I expressed my expectations for a productive round of negotiations,” Ishiba said. “We both agreed to continue the dialogue.”

In addition to trade, the two leaders discussed broader geopolitical issues, including security cooperation between Japan and the U.S. and President Trump’s recent visit to the Middle East. Ishiba said both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the alliance in light of regional security challenges.

Looking ahead, Ishiba confirmed that further talks are planned when both leaders attend the upcoming G7 summit in Canada next month, providing another opportunity to address ongoing trade tensions and diplomatic priorities.

As negotiations resume in Washington, Japan is expected to maintain pressure on the U.S. to roll back protectionist measures while promoting investment-led solutions aimed at preserving the vital trade relationship between the two allies.

Saudi Arabia is rapidly consolidating its position as a key economic and diplomatic force in the Middle East, attracting billions of dollars in investment from the United States and Europe while forging stronger ties with global powers.

The recent four-day visit by former US President Donald Trump to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar underscored Washington’s growing engagement with the region. The trip included high-level meetings and a major investment forum that saw the signing of deals worth over $600 billion across sectors including defence, infrastructure, tourism, mining, and agriculture.

The visit marks a sharp contrast to Trump’s previous official trip to the Kingdom, coming at a time when Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme is well underway. The ambitious national strategy, launched in 2016, aims to diversify the economy away from oil and drive progress in technology, tourism, and social reform.

Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of the Diriyah Company, said Trump was visibly impressed by the progress made in the Kingdom over the past eight years, particularly in the realm of mega development projects. “It’s a different Saudi Arabia, it’s a different Gulf,” Inzerillo told Euronews, pointing to projects like the $64 billion Diriyah development, which aims to transform a UNESCO World Heritage site into a global cultural and tourism hub by 2030.

Inzerillo emphasized that the Diriyah Project is progressing on time and within budget, covering 14 million square metres and backed by significant private and public investment.

Riyadh, the Kingdom’s capital, is emerging as a regional economic powerhouse, with nearly 600 multinational companies now choosing the city for their regional headquarters. Global giants such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft, BlackRock, Morgan Stanley, and Deloitte have all established a presence as part of Saudi Arabia’s Regional Headquarters (RHQ) programme.

“Riyadh has become the centre of gravity for the Gulf. It’s now a major hub for commerce,” Inzerillo said, noting growing investor confidence in Saudi-led initiatives.

The Kingdom is also deepening partnerships with Europe, welcoming official visits from leaders of France, the UK, and Germany earlier this year. In 2024 alone, Saudi Arabia hosted 109 heads of state, reflecting its rising diplomatic stature.

Beyond real estate and infrastructure, Saudi Arabia is working with over 200 European companies across fields such as design, engineering, culture, and tourism—further signalling its role as a bridge between East and West in an increasingly interconnected global economy.