Described as "fruitful," the Japanese Prime Minister and Trump discuss tariffs by phone.

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Described as "fruitful" the Japanese Prime Minister and Trump discuss tariffs by phone.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he exchanged views with US President Donald Trump on Thursday over the issue of tariffs.

Ishiba added that the conversation between them was "fruitful," as they increased their understanding of each other's perspectives.

This is their second phone call this month, following a previous one on May 23, as part of preparations for a fourth round of tariff negotiations between the two countries, according to Reuters.

In the context of discussing the tariffs, the Japanese Prime Minister expressed his determination on Thursday to defend free, multilateral, rules-based trade systems and to play a leading role in expanding the Asia-Pacific trade bloc at a time of increasing divisions and tensions over US tariffs and trade wars.

Ishiba said at a global forum in Tokyo, "High tariffs will not bring economic prosperity... Prosperity built on the sacrifices of one person or another country will not lead to a strong economy."

He emphasized that Japan seeks to work with the United States on investment, job creation, and the manufacture of high-quality products for the prosperity of the United States and the rest of the world, according to the Associated Press.