High-Stakes Tariff Talks: Japan Seeks to Avert U.S. Trade Conflict

Japan's leading tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, engaged in critical discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, as reported by the Asahi newspaper on Wednesday.

The high-stakes meeting is part of Akazawa's visit to Washington, with the primary goal of negotiating terms to preempt a punitive 25% tariff on Japanese imports proposed by Trump.

With the looming August 1 deadline, Japan is keen to finalize a trade agreement that would prevent potential escalation and maintain favorable trade relations with the United States.

(With inputs from agencies.)