Japan, US agree to more talks over tariffs, reach deal soon

Washington DC: The United States and Japan have agreed to more discussions over US tariffs during ministerial talks in Washington with another round of talks scheduled later this month Japan’s chief negotiator said on Thursday.

Japan’s Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa Ryosei who headed his country’s delegation held a first round of trade negotiations with his US counterparts in Washington DC on Wednesday (local time).

Talking to reporters later, Akazawa said that the president indicated that talks with Japan on the levies should take top priority, Japanese state media Kyodo reported today.

US President Donald Trump, who joined the negotiators in a session at the White House, described the meeting as “big progress.”

Trump posted on social media that it was “A Great Honor to have just met with the Japanese Delegation on Trade. Big Progress!”

Akazawa held talks with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and also met with Trump at the White House ahead of the ministerial-level negotiations.

The talks were held following Trump’s suspension of “reciprocal” tariffs for 90 days.

The Japanese minister said he shared Ishiba’s message during the meeting that Tokyo wants to seal a deal as soon as possible that would help further strengthen the Japanese and U.S. economies.

Akazawa added that Tokyo and Washington agreed to hammer out a deal that the leaders of both countries can announce.

Meanwhile, in Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told reporters he believes Japan can build on the latest talks in Washington for the next round. “I’m naturally thinking about visiting the United States for talks with President Trump (on the tariff issue) at the most appropriate time,” he said, according to a report in Kyodo. (ANI)

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