U.S. and Japanese officials to initiate trade negotiations, according to Treasury; Japan expresses skepticism
US-Japan Trade Talks: A Complicated Mini-Summit
WASHINGTON D.C — High-ranking officials from the United States and Japan have committed to expedite working-level consultations following some "frank yet productive" discussions regarding trade robustness in Washington last Thursday (May 1), as reported by the US Treasury Department on Friday. However, Japanese sources have painted a somewhat different picture.
In the roundtable, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer sat down with Japan's Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa, a meeting that's been on the radar of US trading partners aiming to avert high tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump last month.
According to the Treasury's statement, during the candid and productive deliberations on fair and reciprocal trade, Secretary Bessent underlined various tariffs and non-tariff measures, highlighted the significance of economic security for national security, and addressed other issues of concern to Washington.
Bessent, posting on a social network, expressed optimism about Japan's swift and positive inclination toward the United States and hoped that the two allies would soon reach common ground on numerous bilateral issues.
Likewise, Greer warmly welcomed Japan's dialogue with the United States and reaffirmed the robust bilateral relationship between the two nations.
However, Japanese outlets have taken a more measured stand. The Nikkei newspaper revealed earlier on Friday that US tariff negotiators seemed hesitant to scale back levies on cars, steel, and aluminum during Thursday's meeting, adding a layer of complexity to the cooperation process.
Richard Katz, a former senior fellow at Carnegie Council for Ethics In International Affairs, branded the U.S. reluctance to discuss Trump's 25% tariffs on automobiles, automotive parts, and raw materials like steel and aluminum as a relentless stance.
In the broader scheme, the U.S.-Japan relationship involves more than just trade. In 2019, both countries signed a bilateral trade deal that lowered tariffs on US farm products and Japanese machine tools. But, controversies arose in 2025 when the U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on all automotive imports, even those from Japan - a move that contradicted previous assurances from the Trump administration stating no new tariffs would be imposed on Japanese cars[3][4]. This discrepancy has led to tension, and Japan is pushing for consistency in American trade policies.
In relation to steel and aluminum, the latest talks have not revealed much about any progress or agreements on associated tariffs between the two nations. Instead, negotiations have focused on broader economic and security issues, including discourse on tariffs and non-tariff measures[5].
Despite the intricacies, there is a shared commitment between both countries to engage in further consultations on the working level to delve deeper into trade-related matters[5]. However, Japan has voiced concerns about linking defense commitments with trade negotiations, such as increased financial obligations for US troops stationed in Japan[4].
In the grand picture, while the path ahead is intricate, both nations remain dedicated to finding a mutually beneficial solution. Stay tuned for more developments in the evolving US-Japan trade saga.
- Secretary Jamieson Greer reaffirmed the robust bilateral relationship between the United States and Japan, expressing optimism that they would soon reach common ground on numerous bilateral issues.
- In the latest talks, negotiations have focused on broader economic and security issues, including discourse on tariffs and non-tariff measures between the two nations, but no progress or agreements on associated tariffs on steel and aluminum have been revealed.
- Japanese outlets have taken a more measured stand, revealing that US tariff negotiators seemed hesitant to scale back levies on cars, steel, and aluminum during Thursday's meeting, adding a layer of complexity to the cooperation process.
- Richard Katz, a former senior fellow at Carnegie Council for Ethics In International Affairs, branded the U.S. reluctance to discuss Trump's 25% tariffs on automobiles, automotive parts, and raw materials like steel and aluminum as a relentless stance, highlighting the ongoing tension and Japan's push for consistency in American trade policies.
