THE nation’s tariff envoy headed to Washington yesterday to press US President Donald Trump to sign an executive order implementing a tariffs deal announced six weeks ago.
Ryosei Akazawa abruptly cancelled his previous planned visit last week, saying further working-level discussions were still needed between the two sides.
“It’s necessary that the US issues an executive order as soon as possible to amend reciprocal tariffs and reduce tariffs on automobiles and automotive parts,” Akazawa told reporters in Tokyo.
“We wish to ensure the implementation of the Japan-US agreement that will secure economic security and growth” for both nations, he said.
Trump announced on July 22 a “massive” trade deal with Japan with cuts in US tariffs to 15% from a threatened 25%.
He also announced levies on Japanese cars – a sector accounting for some 8% of Japan’s jobs – would come down to the same level from 27.5%, but this has not yet taken effect. — AFP
