Japan PM Abe: no countries benefit from trade protectionism

TOKYO - 6 June 2018: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Wednesday that he wants to send a message at a Group of Seven leaders’ summit that no countries benefit from trade protectionism.

Abe, speaking to reporters, said the G7 should work to promote free trade. Abe also said the G7 should send a message that it supports U.S. President Donald Trump as he prepares for a summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jung Un.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who is due to attend the G7 leaders’ meeting in the Canadian province of Quebec, imposed tariffs last week of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum from Canada, the EU and Mexico, citing national security reasons.

G7 finance ministers met last week and rebuked Washington over the tariffs, setting up a fight at the G7 leaders’ summit.