Japan, US Plan Third Round Trade, Currency Talks After G7 Meeting

Japan and the United States are preparing for a third round of trade negotiations, with Japan's chief negotiator Ryosei Akazawa expected to visit Washington shortly after the upcoming G7 summit. These talks aim to address U.S. tariffs imposed under the Trump administration, with Japan seeking exemptions on autos and auto parts and proposing increased imports of American agricultural products and cooperation on shipbuilding. Working-level talks scheduled for next week will set the stage for ministerial discussions, focusing on reducing tariff barriers and resolving trade tensions. Concurrently, Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato plans to meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at the G7 finance ministers' meeting to continue dialogue on currency issues and possibly U.S. tariffs. The discussions underscore both countries' commitment to maintaining constructive dialogue amid concerns about currency volatility and trade imbalances. These coordinated efforts at multiple governmental levels highlight the priority placed on stabilizing economic relations between Japan and the U.S.