Core Viewpoint - South Korea is currently engaged in separate discussions with the United States regarding foreign exchange issues, indicating a focused approach to currency matters outside of broader trade negotiations [1] Group 1 - The South Korean Ministry of Finance is actively involved in discussions with the U.S. on foreign exchange topics [1] - There has been no direct discussion of exchange rates during the ongoing trade negotiations with the U.S. [1]

Group 1 - Japan is unlikely to face pressure from the U.S. to intentionally strengthen the yen despite President Trump's criticism of Japan's trade surplus with the U.S. [2] - The U.S. dollar's status as a global reserve currency remains solid, but it has become more susceptible to selling pressure following Trump's announcement of comprehensive "reciprocal" tariffs [2][4] - The dollar index has experienced its worst first half since 1973, declining by approximately 11%, while the dollar-yen exchange rate has dropped by 7.5% this year [4] Group 2 - The concept of handling currency issues through finance leaders has become ingrained in the U.S. government since Prime Minister Abe successfully persuaded Trump to delegate these matters during his first term [3][4] - Japan has several strategies to leverage in trade negotiations with Washington, such as increasing investments in the U.S. and contributing to Alaska's LNG projects [4]

Group 1 - The South Korean Ministry of Finance will continue to communicate closely with the United States regarding exchange rate issues to enhance mutual understanding [1]

Group 1 - South Korea plans to communicate with the United States regarding exchange rate issues to enhance mutual understanding [1]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that the Bank of Korea Governor Lee Chang-yong stated that Asian countries have been in discussions with the United States regarding exchange rate issues [1] Group 2 - The discussions highlight the importance of collaboration among Asian nations and the U.S. to address currency fluctuations and their economic impacts [1] - The engagement reflects ongoing concerns about currency stability in the region amid global economic uncertainties [1] - The dialogue aims to foster a more stable economic environment and mitigate potential risks associated with volatile exchange rates [1]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the meetings between the U.S. and Japan is the emphasis on the belief that exchange rates should be determined by the market, with current USD-JPY rates reflecting fundamentals [1][2] - Japan's Finance Minister Kato specifically denied discussing U.S. Treasury bonds during the meetings, aiming to alleviate market concerns about Japan potentially reducing its holdings of U.S. debt [1][6] - The ongoing trade negotiations between the U.S. and Japan are stalled, primarily due to issues surrounding automobile tariffs, with Japan's Prime Minister expressing that no agreement can be reached without including the automotive sector [6][7] Group 2 - Following the news from the meetings, the Japanese yen weakened against the U.S. dollar, with a decline of up to 0.5%, reaching a level of 144.40, making it the worst performer among G10 currencies during early Asian trading [3] - The discussions are part of a broader context where the exchange rate issue has been a sensitive topic in U.S.-Japan economic relations, with past accusations from the Trump administration regarding Japan's manipulation of the yen [6] - Kato expressed regret over U.S. tariffs, stating that tariffs are not always an appropriate tool for addressing trade imbalances [7]

Group 1 - The South Korean Ministry of Finance is currently engaged in discussions regarding exchange rate issues in response to reports about the U.S. request for the Korean won to strengthen [1]

Group 1 - The South Korean won has depreciated by 0.3% against the US dollar, currently trading at 1397.67 [1] - South Korea is engaging in a series of trade talks with US officials visiting Jeju Island for a regional summit, aimed at mitigating the impact of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump [1] - Two top trade officials from South Korea met with US Trade Representative Jamison Greer during the APEC meeting on Thursday and Friday [1]

Group 1 - The U.S. Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, stated that there have been no discussions regarding exchange rate issues [1]

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. has officially implemented a 25% tariff on key automotive parts as of May 3, following two rounds of negotiations with Japan, which has expressed strong concerns and demands for the removal of these tariffs [1][13]. Group 1: Negotiation Dynamics - Japan was the first country to initiate face-to-face tariff negotiations with the Trump administration, demonstrating a proactive approach [1]. - Despite claims of "significant progress" from the White House, Japan's response has been one of resistance, with no agreements reached in the first round of talks [5][3]. - Japan's Economic Revitalization Minister, Akira Amari, emphasized that Japan would not make major concessions in the negotiations and is not in a hurry to reach an agreement [1][8]. Group 2: Economic Implications - The automotive sector is critical for Japan, with exports to the U.S. accounting for nearly one-third of its total exports, making the 25% tariff particularly damaging [6]. - Japan's Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, has raised concerns about the inconsistency of the current tariffs with a previous trade agreement made in 2019, where the U.S. had indicated no higher tariffs would be imposed [7]. Group 3: Future Negotiation Topics - The second round of negotiations is expected to address sensitive topics, including currency exchange rates, which have historically been contentious between the U.S. and Japan [10]. - Japan has made it clear that it will not yield on the issue of currency exchange rates, indicating a firm stance in upcoming discussions [10]. Group 4: Public Sentiment and Media Response - Japanese media has been critical of the U.S. stance, with outlets like Nikkei Asia using terms like "boasting" to describe Trump's claims of progress in negotiations, reflecting a growing discontent [2][4]. - The shift in public sentiment in Japan indicates a reevaluation of its relationship with the U.S., as traditional allies begin to reassess their positions in light of current trade dynamics [17][18].