By Greg Bishop/Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner said that while there needs to be improvement to trading agreements, he told the visiting Japanese ambassador he’s taken concerns of a trade war directly to the White House.
Rauner’s first overseas trip last year as governor was to Japan. He again visited with Japanese officials in Schaumburg on Tuesday at Amada America Inc.. The governor met with Japanese Ambassador Shinsuke Sugiyama, who visited Illinois for the first time this week.
Japanese officials had a great idea “to have a caravan around the state of Illinois with leaders from Japan, leaders from Illinois, celebrating the incredible partnership we have across the entire state,” Rauner said.
While there weren’t details about the caravan other than the idea of one, the governor praised the 630 japanese companies with over 1,000 locations and 47,000 employees in Illinois. He also talked about future investment.
“The ambassador and I discussed the fact that several Japanese firms here will be making an announcement of additional investment and more hiring, more employment,” Rauner said.
Rauner’s luncheon with Japanese officials was part of a celebration of mutual investment between Illinois and Japanese businesses. He told the crowd he’s long had an affinity for Japan as his father traveled there many times when he worked for Motorola decades ago.
After the luncheon, Rauner told reporters he talked with Sugiyama about “the need to be proactive in trying to reduce the international threat from North Korea.”
Japan has had several close encounters with North Korea testing ballistic missiles, something U.S. President Donald Trump addressed when he met leader Kim Jong Un.
Rauner said the two also discussed the possible economic damage to Illinois and Japan if there’s increased strife between the U.S. and other countries over tariffs.
Trump has imposed tariffs on various products for a slew U.S. trading partners, including Japan, in an effort he’s publicly said is meant to get better trade deals for the United States.
Rauner told reporters Tuesday that he also reassured Japanese officials he took his concerns about trade to members of congress and to Vice President Mike Pence when he visited Washington D.C. last month.
“We talked about tariffs and the need to make sure that while we improve our trading agreements, and we do – I support the effort to improve our trading agreements – we make sure we don’t’ get into a tariff war and the ramifications that could have for Illinois manufacturers and Illinois farmers,” Rauner said.
