Tokyo’s representative in Washington for the ongoing US tariff negotiations in Washington declared on Thursday ( May 1 ) that the second round of negotiations had been “frank and constructive.”
Japan, a significant US ally and entrepreneur, is subject to the same 10 % base tariffs as most other countries, as well as higher levies on cars, material, and metal.
In open and honest conversations, Ryosei Akazawa said,” We were able to advance as quickly as possible.”
” We were able to start productive discussions about, for instance, expanding commerce between our two nations, non-tariff measures, and economic and security cooperation,” said one participant.
President Donald Trump’s extensive trade sanctions on business associates have been” highly proposed” by Akazawa to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and other leaders.
Trump announced “reciprocal” tariffs on Japan of 24 % in the first few weeks of April, but afterwards put them on hold for 90 time, along with those on other countries but China.
The following ministerial-level discussion will “dedicately take place from mid-May forward,” according to Akazawa. The discussions on Thursday came after a preliminary appointment in the middle of April.
Any agreement on price relief, according to Akazawa, may take the form of a package, which would be made public once it was finalized.