Japan says trade talks with US ’constructive’
NHK World - 2 May 2025
Japan says trade talks with US ’constructive’
Japan’s top tariff negotiator says his team held a "constructive" second round of talks in the US on President Donald Trump’s trade and tariff policies.
Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa Ryosei says that he hopes the talks will advance so that Japanese and US leaders can reach a trade agreement next month.
Akazawa and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent led the meeting in Washington on Thursday, which lasted about two hours.
"I reiterated that Japan regrets the tariff measures and I strongly urged the US to review them, Akazawa told reporters after the meeting. "I believe we had a constructive discussion and made progress to reach a mutually beneficial agreement as soon as possible."
He says the talks included mutual expansion of trade, non-tariff measures and economic security, adding that currencies and defense issues were not discussed.
"Japanese automakers are suffering losses of 1 million dollars per hour. So we should rush slowly," he said. "Japan is acting to protect its national interests, while seeking to achieve a win-win outcome as soon as possible. This is the top priority."
Akazawa says the next meeting on tariffs is expected later this month and he hopes the talks will lay the groundwork for leaders of both countries to reach a trade agreement next month.
Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru says he agrees with Akazawa on the need for an urgent yet careful approach to the discussions.
"We should not rush to reach agreement. We don’t need an outcome that compromises our national interests," Ishiba said. "The two sides are negotiating to protect their interests, so Japan will make the best efforts to find common ground."
One senior cabinet official told NHK that he understands the two countries see next month’s G7 summit as an opportunity to announce an agreement. But he added that many uncertainties remain because President Trump has frequently shifted his position on tariffs.
