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Japan’s finance minister has publicly identified the country’s more than $1tn holdings of US Treasuries as a “card” in its trade negotiations with the Trump administration, in a rare baring of teeth by America’s closest ally in Asia.
Speaking during a television interview on Friday, Katsunobu Kato was asked whether Japan would use its traditional stance as a non-seller of Treasuries as a tool in trade talks with Washington.
“It does exist as a card,” said Kato, adding that “whether or not we use that card is a different decision”.
Japanese holders, including the government, own $1.13tn of Treasuries, the largest hoard held by a foreign nation.
There is no suggestion that Tokyo is considering any sales of official Treasury holdings. But traders said that even the reference to such an action…
