Overview

• Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba insists Japan will not accept a rushed trade deal that compromises its economic interests.
• Seiji Maehara reported that significant gaps persist between Japan’s and the US negotiation positions.
• President Donald Trump plans to send letters within two weeks setting unilateral tariff rates for Japan and other partners.
• Without an agreement by July 9, US tariffs on Japanese imports will increase from 10 percent to 24 percent.
• Ryosei Akazawa will travel to North America this week for a sixth round of talks as Ishiba anticipates meeting Trump at the G7 summit in Canada.