Japan moots third round of trade talks

JAPAN'S top trade negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, could travel to Washington as soon as next week for a third round of trade talks with the US, two sources with knowledge of the plans said.

- 

The date of his visit was fluid and would depend on how much progress the two countries can make in narrowing differences in staff-level negotiations, one of the sources said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak publicly.

Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato is also scheduled to visit Canada next week for a meeting with his G7 counterparts, where he may discuss foreign exchange with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Japan is considering a package of proposals to gain US concessions that may include increased imports of US corn and soy, technical cooperation in shipbuilding, and revision to inspection standards for imported automobiles, the source said.

There is uncertainty on whether the two sides can iron out differences over Japan's priority, which is to win exemptions from US tariffs on automobile and auto parts - the mainstay of its export-heavy economy.