Negotiations between Japan and USA without advances, with expected tariff agreement in “90 days” – Observer

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The Japanese Minister for Economic Revitalization said Thursday that the United States seeks an agreement on “90 days” tariffs, but has not announced any progress on the first day of negotiations in Washington.

“I realize that the United States want to complete a deal in 90 days. We want to get there as soon as possibleBut this is a negotiation between two parts, ”said Ryosei Akazawa, the negotiator Tokyo sent to Washington to find a solution to the commercial tariffs imposed by Donald Trump’s administration.

Akazawa met in Washington with the US President, as well as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Representative Jamieson Greer.

The Japanese minister announced to the press that the two countries are trying to “schedule the next meeting during this month [de abril]”.

Akazawa also reported that he recalled the US authorities that Tokyo considers the rates “extremely pitiful”.

“After exposing our ideas on the impact on Japanese industry and expanding investment and employment in Japan and the United States, I envively urged the United States to reconsider these measures,” the negotiator said.

Tokyo has been asking the Trump administration a exemption from the new rate on the automotive industrywhich is particularly harmful to Japan, as it affects one of its main industries, which has the largest market in the United States, as well as other customs announced by Washington.

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The new customs rate of the United States on imports of passenger vehicles produced in Japan has passed 2.5% for 27.5%.

Trump indicated that he could give some time to some car manufacturers who are considering moving production facilities to the United States before imposing the new measures.

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The head of state also announced, last week, a 90 -day break in the application of what it designates as “reciprocal tariffs”, which affect the main business partners of the United States and rising to 24% in the case of Japan.

Japan has had a priority in negotiations on these tariffs.

Trump administration has also launched national security investigations on imports of chips and pharmaceutical products, which, according to US media, will be used to impose new fares on these products.

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Although the United States government also accuses Tokyo to take an improper party from the devaluation of the Japanese currency, the yen, to boost exports, the currency issue was not discussed on Wednesday, Akawaza said.

The minister, who before leaving for Washington said he hopes to “build a relationship of trust” to complete “an advantageous partnership for both countries, saw Trump together unexpectedly with negotiations on Wednesday.

“It is a great honor to meet the Japanese commercial delegation. Significant progress,” wrote the US President on his social network Truth before the meeting.