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Threatened by Trump tariffs, Japan walks a delicate tightrope between US and China

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Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato arrives at the prime minister’s office on Nov 11, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP)

WASHINGTON, May 6, (AP): Just as Japan’s top trade negotiator traveled to Washington for another round of tariff talks last week, a bipartisan delegation bearing the name of “Japan-China Friendship” wrapped up a visit to Beijing. A week earlier, the head of the junior party in Japan’s ruling coalition was in Beijing delivering a letter from Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba addressed to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Details of the letter are unknown, but the two sides discussed U.S. tariffs in addition to bilateral issues. Among all US allies being wooed by Beijing in its tariff stare-down with Washington, Japan stands out. It is a peculiar case not only for its staunch commitment to its alliance with the United States but also for its complicated and uneasy history with the neighboring Asian giant – particularly the war history from the 20th century that still casts a shadow over the politics of today. “On one hand, they are neighbors and they are important economic partners.

There’s a lot that connects Japan and China,” said Matthew Goodman, director of the Greenberg Center for Geoeconomics at the Council on Foreign Relations. “But on the other hand, I think there are limits to how far they’re going to lean into China.” While Japan won’t walk away from its alliance with the United States, the linchpin of the Asian country’s diplomacy and security policies, “it’s also true that the tariffs and uncertainty that Trump has created for Japan is really shaking things up in Tokyo,” Goodman said.

Last month, President Donald Trump announced a 24% tariff on Japanese goods in a sweeping plan to levy duties on about 90 countries. The White House has since paused the tariffs but a 10% baseline duty on all countries except China, allowing time for negotiations. Still, Trump’s 25% tax on aluminum, steel and auto exports have gone into effect for Japan.

The tariff moves, as well as Trump’s “America First” agenda, have cast doubts among the Japanese if the United States is still a dependable ally, while China is rallying support from tariff-threatened countries – including Japan. When Tetsuo Saito led Japan’s Komeito Party delegation to Beijing in late April, China hinted at difficulty in its tariff dispute with the United States, signaling its willingness to improve ties with Tokyo.

An unnamed senior Chinese official said his country was “in trouble” when discussing Trump’s 145% tariff on Chinese products, according to Japanese reports. Saito’s visit was soon followed by that of the bipartisan delegation of Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians’ Union. Zhao Leji, Beijing’s top legislator, told the delegation that China’s National People’s Congress would be “willing to carry out various forms of dialogue and exchanges.”  

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CAPT sets Oct 27 for price talks on Jaber Al-Ahmad entrances project

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KUWAIT CITY, Oct 13: The Central Agency for Public Tenders (CAPT) has approved the request of the Ministry of Public Works to set Oct 27 as the date for negotiating prices with the four companies bidding for the establishment of entrances and exits at Jaber Al-Ahmad City. CAPT decided during its meeting last Wednesday. All bidders have been required to include detailed price and quantity tables in their bids. The agency excluded two companies for not meeting the conditions and specifications, and the bidding process closed on Feb 18.

The project includes the establishment of entrances and exits in two locations in Jaber Al-Ahmad Residential City — one is the southern entrance and exit linking to Jahra Road, and the other is the eastern entrance and exit linking to Doha Road. It is worth noting that the ministry has been holding negotiation sessions with the winning companies to determine the best and most cost-effective bid.

By Mohammad Ghanem Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

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Companies and funds can own real estate in Kuwait under strict controls

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KUWAIT CITY, Oct 13: As part of the State’s efforts to regulate the ownership of investment and commercial real estate and ensure balance between attracting foreign investment and preserving the privacy of the local market, Decree No. 195/2025 on the controls for real estate ownership by companies, real estate funds, and investment portfolios was issued. This is in implementation of the provisions of Decree-Law No. 74/1979 regulating real estate ownership by non-Kuwaitis. Article One of the decree, which was published in ‘Kuwait Al-Youm’ recently, stipulates that subject to the provisions of the aforementioned law, companies with non-Kuwaiti partners and listed on licensed stock exchanges in Kuwait, as well as real estate funds and investment portfolios licensed by the competent authorities, may own real estate within the country, subject to specific controls. The decree indicates that one of the basic conditions is that the purpose of the company, fund or portfolio must include dealing in real estate.

It prohibits any form of dealing in real estate, plots or land designated for private housing in any location or within any project, in a move aimed at protecting the residential character and preventing speculation in this vital sector. Article Two of the decree clarifies that its provisions do not prejudice the right of entities subject to the supervision of the Central Bank of Kuwait or others to own real estate in accordance with the law. It affirmed that citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries shall continue to be treated the same as Kuwaitis regarding ownership of land and built property in the State of Kuwait. Article Three states that the ministers—each within their respective jurisdiction—shall be responsible for implementing the provisions of the decree, which shall take effect from the date of its publication in the official gazette.

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

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Factors behind the reversal of losses and profitability

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KUWAIT CITY, Oct 12: Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company (KIPIC) aims to raise its profits for fiscal 2025/2026 by increasing its sales in local and international markets, which have been robust since the beginning of the year, say reliable sources. Sources pointed out that KIPIC recovered from the losses it suffered in previous years through the growth of its net profits, which amounted to about KD52.2 million in the 2024/2025 budget. They cited five main factors behind this growth.

First is the increase in the refining capacity of Zour Refinery, which reached 615,000 barrels per day in May 2024, ranking seventh globally in terms of production quantities. They explained that the refining capacity of the refinery in the years prior to its operational opening ranged between 205,000 and 410,000 barrels per day. The second factor behind KIPIC’s profit growth over the past year is the commencement of the merger of oil companies, particularly the merger of KIPIC into the Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC), to shake off the losses.

The third factor is the result of the implementation of the spending rationalization policy pursued by the CEO of KNPC, who also serves as the acting CEO of KIPIC, Wadha Al-Khatib. The KNPC spending rationalization committee implemented spending rationalization last year, achieving financial savings for KIPIC estimated at KD27 million through this approach. Sources explained that the implementation of rationalization coincided with the provision of better products. The fourth factor is the focus on stimulating KIPIC’s sales in global markets by opening new markets. In the first half of 2025, the company was able to expand its sales of sulfur and diesel, in addition to producing the best type of low-sulfur jet fuel, and then exporting all of its products that comply with international requirements.

The fifth factor is the company’s interest in digital transformation, focusing on developing all aspects related to global technologies, including artificial intelligence, as these technologies are extremely useful in detecting and anticipating errors before they occur, which contributes to stable production. Sources added that there are other important factors behind KIPIC’s profitability, such as the signing of numerous contracts with international companies specializing in smart energy, renewing contracts with the largest global platforms related to technological development in the field of oil refining, and strengthening relationships with major refining companies to mutually benefit from each other’s expertise.

By Najeh Bilal Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

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