U.S. expects Japan to stop buying Russian oil, Bessent says

[President Trump Meets With Visiting Argentine President Milei At The White House]
U.S., under the Trump administration, is actively pressing Japan to stop importing energy from Russia as part of a broader effort to cut off Moscow's financial resources.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent conveyed to Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato that the U.S. expects Japan, which still imports Russian liquefied natural gas, to no longer buy its fossil fuel exports. The move is a part of coordinated international efforts to tighten sanctions on Moscow.

The message [https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0281] came after Bessent met Kato during high-level meetings in Washington, emphasizing its importance in the U.S.-Japan economic relationship and broader G7 objectives.

The Trump administration is stepping up pressure on allies to restrict Russian energy trade, arguing that purchasing Russian oil and gas indirectly subsidizes the war effort in Ukraine.

Besides, Bessent further said the Japanese yen will “find its own level” if the Bank of Japan adheres to “proper” or responsible monetary policy.

He made these remarks during a group interview with reporters, following renewed weakness in Japan’s currency against the U.S. dollar.

The Japanese yen dropped against the dollar at a pace at least twice that of other major currencies, touching an eight-month low of ¥153.27 to the dollar last Friday.

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