Trade negotiations between the US and Japan will begin in Washington on Wednesday. The Japanese government's goal is for Trump to cancel high tariffs during the negotiations. The two sides may also discuss tariffs on the automobile and agricultural sectors, as well as exchange rate issues. Although Japanese Prime Minister Ishiwari Shigeru instructed his Minister of Economic Regeneration Akazawa Ryomasa to “fully pursue a win-win” outcome, Tokyo may face strong pressure to make concessions in key areas affecting the export-oriented economy. Akazawa Ryosei, who is in charge of the tariff negotiations, told reporters earlier: “I hope to conduct negotiations by considering what is the most effective and most contributing method to protect Japan's interests.” One major area of concern in the upcoming negotiations is whether Japan can win concessions on the issue of imposing additional 25% tariffs on cars manufactured outside the US. The tariff went into effect earlier this month. Japan now faces a total passenger car tariff of 27.5%, a blow to the country's key industry, which last year accounted for nearly 30% of Japan's total exports to the US.

Trade negotiations between the US and Japan will begin in Washington on Wednesday. The Japanese government's goal is for Trump to cancel high tariffs during the negotiations. The two sides may also discuss tariffs on the automobile and agricultural sectors, as well as exchange rate issues. Although Japanese Prime Minister Ishiwari Shigeru instructed his Minister of Economic Regeneration Akazawa Ryomasa to “fully pursue a win-win” outcome, Tokyo may face strong pressure to make concessions in key areas affecting the export-oriented economy. Akazawa Ryosei, who is in charge of the tariff negotiations, told reporters earlier: “I hope to conduct negotiations by considering what is the most effective and most contributing method to protect Japan's interests.” One major area of concern in the upcoming negotiations is whether Japan can win concessions on the issue of imposing additional 25% tariffs on cars manufactured outside the US. The tariff went into effect earlier this month. Japan now faces a total passenger car tariff of 27.5%, a blow to the country's key industry, which last year accounted for nearly 30% of Japan's total exports to the US.