President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States is "very close" to a deal with Japan as the two countries continue talks over U.S. tariffs.
His remarks came as Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's chief representative in tariff negotiations with the U.S. administration, is set to make a three-day trip to Washington from Wednesday for a second round of talks.
Akazawa has requested the United States reconsider duties that have hit various exports, including those from the nation's large automobile industry.
"I'm getting along very well with Japan. We're very close to a deal," Trump told reporters at the White House ahead of his trip to Rome for Pope Francis' funeral, though he did not elaborate further.
Trump is said to be viewing tariff talks with Japan, a major trade partner and key security ally, as a top priority, and the process is being considered a test case for other countries also seeking relief from wide-ranging U.S. tariffs.
Pitching tariffs as a means to reduce massive U.S. trade deficits and to address what he views as unfair trade practices, Trump imposed higher import duties on cars, steel and aluminum following his return to the White House in January.
Japan also faces a 24 percent so-called reciprocal tariff -- a 10 percent universal duty and a country-specific rate of 14 percent. The targeted tariff, also announced for dozens of other U.S. trading partners in early April, was quickly put on hold in the wake of volatility in financial markets, particularly the bond market.
According to Reuters, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said on Friday that it is "constantly engaged" with Japan and other countries on alternative reciprocal trade arrangements that could eliminate or reduce the current universal 10 percent tariff.
The news agency also quoted a USTR spokesperson as saying that such talks were substantial and technical in nature, but Trump "ultimately will determine whether to proceed with alternative arrangements with any country."
© KYODO
17 Comments
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Blacklabel
Well that’s quite wonderful to hear.
bass4funk
Good news! Never give up, never give in.
quercetum
Wonderful. Where there’s a will there’s a way!
OssanAmerica
I would wait to hear what the Japan side says. Trump said Xi Jing Ping called him and he's making "significant progress" with China. China says they said they have no idea what he's talking about as Xi hasn't spoken to Trump.
Trump credibility = zero. He says whatever sounds good, not what's accurate.
Still waiting for him to end the Russo-Ukraine War.
bass4funk
I don’t know, most of the things that he sets apart was true, when he was so sure he was going to win the election when he was so sure about deporting, illegals and changing economy he hasn’t lied, the problem is you have these activist are standing in his way, that’s the problem
Simon Foston
Hm. I doubt it personally. He was saying the same thing about China too. How's that working out?
bass4funk
it hasn’t been even exactly 100 days and lives. Want him to perform magic tricks as quickly as possible, it’s just too funny, give it time, these things will come to fruition.
Mizuame
Certainly doesn't converge with Japanese (e.g. NHK's) reporting of the Japanese delegation's preparation yesterday and today for next week's talks, urged on by a serious-looking Prime Minister Ishiba. Backed by Japanese industry such as car manufacturers, the Japanese delegation's position on tariffs will be a tough one. I would guess that toughness will be strengthend by Turmp's "very close" comment which will tend to make it difficult for the US side to take a hard approach. If there is no agreement, what does Trump then say?
Meiyouwenti
I’m afraid Japan may have to make very considerable concessions to the US just to please Trump and save the country’s car industry.
wallace
More American LNG and oil.
garypen
Is that along with the 200 other countries he says want to make a deal? (FYI, there aren't even 200 countries in existence. Not on this planet, anyway.)
Simon Foston
bass4funkToday 06:03 pm JST
How much time?
When? If, as Trump says, they're very close to a deal then it should happen very soon, shouldn't it.
grc
OssanAmerica is spot on
Arrrgh-Type
Sounds wonderful. Meanwhile, US consumers are already getting hit every day with a 10% import tax on items from Japan, and the possibility of the additional 24% by July is causing uncertainty and logistical nightmares. Japan is already the number one foreign investor in the US, what more would you like? Chaos reigns while companies are asked to make billion-dollar investments in factories that will take years to come online. What a mess.
Yrral
Bass4, Trump is a pathological liar
Abe234
It’s all talking up the markets. He’s seen it tank, and we can see the movement of the markets based on his mouth and not market fundamentals.
Peter Neil
The best magic trick would be for him to shut up instead of constantly lying, saying gibberish and trashing the economy.