Tokyo (Reuters)-United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Japan Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba that his countries could reach a “good deal” about tariffs, the prime minister said on Friday after meeting with Bessent at his office in Tokyo.
Ishiba added that although specific terms have not been discussed, such as the 25% rate that US President Donald Trump said he will impose on Japan from August, he asked Bessent to continue to “actively talk” to his main trade negotiator, Ryosi Akazawa.
Akazawa, who also attended the meeting, told reporters that the two countries agreed to maintain a “constructive dialogue.” Bessent left Ishiba’s office without speaking to reporters.
The comments of the Japanese authorities were made after Bessent visited Ishiba in Tokyo before attending a US day event on Saturday at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
