WASHINGTON, May 2 (AFP): Tokyo's envoy for US tariff talks in Washington said Thursday that the second round of negotiations between the two countries had been "frank and constructive."
Japan, a key US ally and its biggest investor, is subject to the same 10 percent baseline tariffs imposed on most nations plus steeper levies on cars, steel and aluminum.
President Donald Trump also in early April announced "reciprocal" tariffs on Japan of 24 percent, but later put them on pause for 90 days along with those on other countries except China.
"We were able to move forward in frank and constructive discussions to reach a mutually beneficial agreement as soon as possible," Ryosei Akazawa told reporters Thursday.
"We were able to advance concrete discussions on, for example, expanding trade between our two countries, non-tariff measures and economic and security co-operation."
Akazawa said he had "strongly proposed" to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and other officials that Trump's sweeping levies on trade partners be reviewed.
The next round of ministerial-level talks will "take place intensively from mid-May onwards," Akazawa said. Thursday's talks followed an initial meeting in mid-April.
Akazawa said any deal on tariff relief would be in the form of a package, which will be announced when finalized.
"We have not yet reached the point where we can find areas of agreement," Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told reporters.
"However, I have been informed that the discussion was very positive and constructive."
Trump has repeatedly called for a stronger yen to boost US exports, but foreign currency rates were not discussed Thursday, Akazawa said.
