Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato said the country¡¯s U.S. Treasury holdings could be a card in its trade talks with Washington, referring to the largest stockpile of U.S. debt held by a foreign nation.
¡°It does exist as a card,¡± said Kato, speaking on a TV Tokyo program Friday, when asked if Japan¡¯s stance of not selling holdings could be a negotiation tool. ¡°Whether or not we use that card is a different decision.¡±
While the comments were made in response to a question and don¡¯t appear to suggest Japan is considering selling any of its U.S. Treasury holdings, they open up the possibility of large market ructions if action took place.
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