Japan PM Ishiba aims to advance U.S. tariff talks; eyes the outcome at G-7 summit

Japan PM Ishiba aims to advance U.S. tariff talks; eyes the outcome at G-7 summit
By: cnbc Posted On: May 25, 2025 View: 26

Japan's prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba.
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Sunday said Tokyo aims to advance tariff talks with the United States, with the goal of achieving an outcome during the Group of Seven summit next month.

Japan's top tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa held a third round of Japan-U.S. talks in Washington on Friday.

Speaking to reporters in Kyoto, Ishiba said there has been progress in negotiations, pointing to discussions on trade expansion, non-tariff measures and economic security.

"We will continue to further refine our discussions with the G-7 summit in mind," he said.

Ishiba on Friday held a 45-minute phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss security, diplomacy, and tariffs, and said they exchanged hope for an in-person meeting at the G-7 summit.

On Sunday, Ishiba expressed Japan's willingness to cooperate in shipbuilding. He said the U.S. has shown interest in the possibility of repairing U.S. warships in Japan and that Japan would like to assist.

He said Japan has an advantage in icebreakers, such as those used on Arctic trade routes, which could become an area of cooperation with the U.S.

In Tokyo, Akazawa on Sunday said the schedule for the next Japan-U.S. talks is being arranged and that he hopes to meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during his next visit to the U.S.

Speaking to reporters at Haneda Airport following his return from Washington, Akazawa said an agreement will be reached only when all elements are settled as a package, meaning that until everything is agreed upon, nothing is agreed upon.

"Therefore, I won't comment on how far we've progressed," he said.

Read this on cnbc
  Contact Us
  Follow Us
Site Map
Get Site Map
  About

Read the latest local and international news from trusted sources in one place.