Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is considering a visit to Washington to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of the mid-June G7 summit in Canada. The potential visit is part of efforts to finalise a bilateral trade deal and ease escalating tariff tensions between the two allies.
According to the Yomiuri, Japanese officials see signs of progress in negotiations, with Washington reportedly showing strong interest in Japan’s latest proposals. The discussions have been led by Japan’s top tariff negotiator, Economy Minister Ryosei Akazawa, who has visited the U.S. multiple times in recent weeks.
He is scheduled to return to Washington later this week for further talks, after which a decision will be made regarding Prime Minister Ishiba’s potential trip.
Neither the White House nor the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office have commented on the report.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday after his fourth round of talks, Akazawa said the negotiations are moving forward but noted that the structure and format of any agreement ahead of the G7 summit have yet to be finalised.
Japan is under pressure to strike a deal as it faces a looming 24 per cent reciprocal tariff threatened by President Trump, set to take effect next month. Tokyo is also seeking an exemption from a separate 25 per cent tariff on automobile exports, an area critical to Japan’s economy.
Recall that Dailyprime had earlier reported that Trump announced plans to double tariffs on imported steel and aluminium to 50 per cent. However, Akazawa said on Sunday that U.S. officials, including Trade Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, did not bring up the steel and aluminium measures in recent discussions.
Meanwhile, some Japanese officials are hopeful an agreement could be reached in time for Trump’s birthday on June 14, just before the G7 summit scheduled from June 15 to 17.
Akazawa confirmed on Friday that both sides had agreed to accelerate talks and hold another round before the summit. However, he made clear that Japan would not agree to a deal without meaningful U.S. concessions, particularly on auto tariffs.
Prime Minister Ishiba has said bilateral discussions are progressing on key areas, including trade expansion, non-tariff issues, and economic security. Japan has also indicated potential increases in purchases of U.S. military equipment and energy, along with expanded cooperation in shipbuilding and the maintenance of U.S. naval vessels in Japanese ports.
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