Japan Chief Tariff Negotiator Plans Washington Talks Ahead of Aug. 1 Tariffs

Japan's chief tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, is heading to Washington for an eighth round of trade talks aimed at averting the imposition of President Donald Trump's planned 25% tariffs on Japanese imports, set to begin August 1. Despite political upheaval from a recent Upper House election in Japan, Akazawa expressed a commitment to finding common ground with the U.S. while protecting national interests. The negotiations have stalled partly due to Japan's election, and Trump has publicly stated skepticism about reaching a deal by the deadline. Akazawa's visit follows Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's recent trip to Japan, where no tariff discussions took place, but relations and trust between negotiators were strengthened. Japan, especially its auto export sector, is under significant economic pressure from existing tariffs, and the talks are seen as crucial to preventing further damage. Meanwhile, Japan is also grappling with inflationary pressures, adding complexity to its economic situation amid the trade dispute.