Japan and the United States are gearing up for the second round of tariff negotiations, scheduled to take place in Washington on Thursday (May 1). Japan’s Chief Tariff Negotiator and Minister of Economic Revitalization, Ryosei Akazawa, expressed Japan’s hope to secure exemptions from tariffs on industries such as automobiles and steel.
Prior to departing for Washington on Wednesday, Akazawa told reporters in Tokyo, “I hope to always bear in mind how to establish a win-win relationship and take a step or two forward.”
During the three-day visit, Akazawa is set to meet with US Treasury Secretary Benson and other US negotiating representatives. The automotive industry and agricultural tariffs are expected to be key negotiation topics.
In the first round of talks held in mid-April, the US expressed the desire for Japan to increase the amount of American automobile imports while also opening its markets to expand imports of agricultural products such as rice, beef, and potatoes.
In a bid to urge Washington to lower tariffs, Japan is considering proposing an expansion of duty-free imports of American rice, as well as increasing purchases of American soybeans and corn.
In the automotive sector, Japan is contemplating simplifying safety and environmental inspection procedures for more imported cars.
Additionally, Japan is considering bolstering cooperation to enhance America’s shipbuilding capabilities. US President Donald Trump has pledged to revitalize the shipbuilding industry in response to China’s expansion in that realm.
Benson stated in a White House press conference on Tuesday that the upcoming elections could affect the strategies of Asian trade partners, with both Japan and South Korea hoping to reach agreements before the elections to “demonstrate that their negotiations with the United States have been successful.”
“They are actually more eager to sit down and negotiate, reach an agreement as soon as possible, and then return home to start their election campaigns,” Benson said.
According to Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), on Tuesday (29th), Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba held talks with Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila. Against the backdrop of China’s continued military expansion, the two sides reached a consensus on enhancing cooperation in the security domain.
Japan and the Philippines will engage in further negotiations to sign the “Agreement on the Provision of Goods and Labor Services” (ACSA), enabling the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the Philippine military to facilitate the mutual provision of supplies like food and fuel.
Prime Minister Ishiba emphasized during a joint press briefing, “Japan and the Philippines have now become close ‘alliance’ partners. We will further strengthen the ties between this important neighboring country.”
On Wednesday, after hearing opinions on US tariffs from Japanese businesses in the Philippines, Prime Minister Ishiba returned to Japan and will focus on addressing the top priority – the Japan-US negotiations.