US and Japan Hold Third Round of Tariff Talks in Washington... Japan Seeks Common Ground at June Summit

Akazawa Announces After Negotiations
"Strongly Requested Tariff Reconsideration"
U.S. Approves Nippon Steel's Acquisition of US Steel
"Waiting for the Official Announcement"

The United States and Japan held their third round of tariff negotiations in Washington, D.C. on the 23rd (local time), where they repeatedly discussed expanding bilateral trade, non-tariff measures, and cooperation on economic security.

Yonhap News Agency

Ryosuke Akazawa, Japan's Minister for Economic Revitalization and the country's minister in charge of tariffs, told reporters after the negotiations that "we had a more candid and in-depth conversation than in previous talks." He added that the two sides agreed to continue close ministerial consultations, keeping in mind the possibility of finding common ground at the U.S.-Japan summit to be held on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit next month. Minister Akazawa explained, "We strongly reiterated our request for the United States to reconsider its series of tariff measures."

He also commented on President Donald Trump's approval of Nippon Steel's acquisition of the American steel company US Steel, a deal previously blocked by the former Joe Biden administration citing national security concerns, saying, "We are waiting for the official announcement."

The two sides met again for the first time in about three weeks since May 1 to discuss the tariff measures imposed by the Donald Trump administration, but it appears that they have yet to reach an agreement. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant, who had participated in all previous talks, was absent from this round of negotiations. Minister Akazawa held separate meetings with Jamison Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative, and Howard Lutnick, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.