Japan PM Ishiba mulls Trump trade meeting before G7

1/6/2025 17:09

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is considering visiting Washington to meet President Donald Trump before a mid-month summit of the Group of Seven nations as he seeks a trade deal, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Sunday.



Japanese officials see signs of progress on easing Trump's tariffs after repeated visits by top tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa, and say the U.S. side has shown strong interest in Japan's proposals, the Yomiuri said, citing Japanese government officials it did not name.



Economy Minister Akazawa will return to Washington for more talks later this week, after which a decision will be made on a U.S. trip by Ishiba, the newspaper said.



The White House and the Japanese Prime Minister's Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside business hours.



Speaking to reporters upon returning on Sunday from his　fourth round of negotiations, Akazawa said talks are progressing towards an agreement but that the form of negotiations before the G7 summit was yet to be decided.