Japan tariff negotiator plans to visit US from April 30, sources say

reuters
Reuters

Japan’s top trade envoy Ryosei Akazawa is set to visit the U.S. for a second round of tariff talks next week, as Tokyo presses Washington to reconsider duties on cars and steel amid firm resistance from the Trump administration.

Japan’s chief tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, is finalizing plans to visit the United States starting April 30 for a second round of trade talks with his U.S. counterpart, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

Public broadcaster NHK reported that the meeting is expected to take place on May 1, Japan time, pending confirmation from the American side. Earlier on Thursday, NHK also reported that the Trump administration informed Japan’s delegation it could not offer special exemptions on its current tariff policies, despite Tokyo’s firm request for reconsideration during ministerial-level talks held earlier this month.

During those discussions, Akazawa called for a rollback of tariffs on automobiles and steel, but U.S. officials responded that Japan would not receive preferential treatment, according to multiple government sources cited by NHK.

Following the initial meeting, Akazawa told reporters that he had strongly urged the U.S. to revoke the tariffs. He is expected to raise the issue again in the upcoming talks and push to have it formally recognized as a topic for continued negotiations.

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