Ahead of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis scheduled for June 15-17, Japan-US tariff negotiations continue.
Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa has traveled to the US for three consecutive weeks for negotiations with American counterparts.
In last week’s commentary, I noted that the June 1 Yomiuri Shimbun reported Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba was considering visiting the US just before the G7 to meet President Trump.
Following the “positive response toward agreement” during the May 30 talks, plans included sending Akazawa to the US in early June for final negotiations, with a final decision contingent on progress.
Additionally, some within the Japanese government hoped that announcing an agreement on Trump’s June 14 birthday would be symbolic.
This Saturday, June 14, marks Trump’s 79th birthday, and a military parade will be held in Washington to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the US Army’s founding.
At that point, it seemed plausible that Ishiba might visit the US before departing for Canada on Sunday, June 15, for the G7 Summit, to reaffirm the Japan-US alliance while finalizing tariff negotiations.
Speculation grew partly due to Trump’s apparent shift in attitude toward Ishiba.
Asahi Shimbun reported on May 26 regarding their approximately 45-minute telephone conversation on May 23:
