Japanese negotiator arranging seventh US visit, aiming to reach deal on tariffs

(Patria) - Japanese tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa plans his seventh visit to the United States as early as June 26, aiming to end tariffs that harm the Japanese economy, two sources from the Japanese government stated this morning, Reuters reported.

The main focus of the visit is expected to be on US tariffs on Japanese cars, which have a serious impact on the Japanese economy. Akazawa will also meet with Trade Minister Howard Lutnick and others overseeing this area, one of the sources said.

The meeting would be the first on tariffs at the ministerial level since the Japan-US summit in Canada on June 16.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and US President Donald Trump agreed to continue trade negotiations when they met in Canada, but failed to reach an agreement on tariffs.

Last month, the Japanese trade negotiator said that purchasing US defense equipment, cooperation in shipbuilding technology, revision of car import standards, and increased import of agricultural products could be trump cards in tariff negotiations.

In an effort to reach an agreement with the US, Japan is also proposing a mechanism to reduce the automotive tariff rate based on countries' contributions to the US automotive industry. Japan faces a US tariff rate of 24% starting in July.