PM Ishiba heads to Vietnam and Philippines to talk tariffs

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba left yesterday for a four-day trip to Vietnam and the Philippines, as Tokyo seeks to shore up regional ties after Mr Donald Trump's tariff onslaught.

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Mr Ishiba’s trip comes after China's President Mr Xi Jinping conducted his own Southeast Asia tour, with Beijing trying to position itself as a stable alternative to the United States as leaders battle to counter Mr Trump's tariffs.

Before leaving for the trip, Mr Ishiba called Vietnam and the Philippines along with the rest of Southeast Asia a “growth centre” that is driving the world economy.