The U.S. and Japan have agreed to accelerate trade talks after a first round of talks in Washington on Monday suggested the two countries will stick to a narrow range of topics.
The U.S. and Japan first agreed last September to discuss a trade agreement. Japanese Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Wednesday he would meet U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer again next week. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to travel to Washington for a summit with President Trump on April 26. The Financial Times reports that President Trump may visit Japan twice in the coming months, for a possible state visit in May followed by the G20 Summit in June.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue told reporters this week that after a meeting with Lighthizer, he is hoping for a quick ag-only deal ahead of a broader free trade agreement with Japan.
The U.S. exported $13 billion worth of agricultural commodities to Japan last year, including nearly 20,000 metric tons of broiler meat worth roughly $32 million.
