Japanese Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi is said to be meeting US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on September 21 in the US. That will be a follow up to an inconclusive meeting on trade back in August. Back then Motegi said acknowledged the importance of expanding trade. Also, both sides exchanged views individual areas but nothing had been decided. Earlier this week, Motegi was quoted saying that the US and Japan have some difference in views but will seek to proceed with the discussions.
It’s known that Japan has been insisting in bring the US back to the Trans Pacific Partnership, which Trump pulled out soon after taking office. The multilateral framework is what Japan has been pushing for, which is clearly shown in its leadership role in the TPP too. On the other hand, Trump has been trying to force Japan into bilateral agreement, which he fails o far. It’s uncertain how this fundamental difference could be bridged.
The meeting between Motegi and Lighthizer will precede summit between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Trump on the sidelines of a UN meeting starting September 25.
