Japan aims for U.S. trade deal before August tariff deadline, according to chief negotiator Ryosei Akazawa. He arrived in Washington on Monday for a critical round of talks, seeking to avoid a steep 25% tariff imposed by the Trump administration.
Speaking to reporters at an airport near Washington, Akazawa dismissed concerns about Japan’s recent election loss. “I don’t have such a concern,” he said, referring to the ruling coalition’s upper house defeat. He emphasized that both nations still desire a deal by August 1.
This deadline marks the expiration of a temporary pause on Trump’s so-called reciprocal tariffs. Although negotiations have stalled, Akazawa remains optimistic. “I believe both Japan and the United States want to reach some kind of agreement,” he said.
However, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent offered a cooler tone in a CNBC interview. “We’re not going to rush for the sake of doing deals,” Bessent stated. “Our priorities are high quality deals.”
Japan aims for U.S. trade deal before August tariff deadline as it faces mounting economic pressure. Failure to secure an agreement would subject Japanese goods to steep tariffs. The looming 25% country-specific duty would follow earlier hikes on autos and other sectors.
Akazawa’s trip marks his eighth in-person round of negotiations with U.S. cabinet members. He left Tokyo a day after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s coalition lost its majority in both houses of parliament. That loss stemmed from growing public frustration over rising living costs.
While in Washington, Akazawa plans to meet Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer—schedule permitting. These meetings may determine whether Japan can avoid punitive tariffs and stabilize its trade relationship with the U.S.
In Tokyo, Prime Minister Ishiba defended Japan’s position during a press conference. “We are the largest investor and job creator in the United States,” he said. “That’s why we continue promoting investment over tariffs.”
Trump initially announced broad tariffs on April 2, targeting countries with large trade surpluses. While he paused implementation for 90 days, talks have since progressed slowly. The White House extended the pause to August 1 amid continued pressure on Japan, South Korea, and the EU.
Since April, Akazawa’s team has focused on reversing the auto tariff hike. Trump raised the rate by 25 percentage points to 27.5%. Japan responded by proposing increased imports of U.S. corn and liquefied natural gas.
Even so, U.S. officials remain unmoved. Trump has repeatedly criticized Japan for hesitating to import American cars and farm goods.
Japan aims for U.S. trade deal before August tariff deadline, but challenges remain. The election result weakens Ishiba’s mandate. Meanwhile, Trump’s demands grow more aggressive. With just days left, both sides must decide whether compromise is still possible.
