Overview

• Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba held a 45-minute phone call with President Donald Trump on May 23 to discuss U.S. tariffs and economic security.
• Japan reaffirmed its position for the U.S. to eliminate all recent tariffs on Japanese imports, including 25% duties on autos and higher tariffs on steel and aluminum.
• Ishiba proposed expanded Japanese investment in the U.S. to create jobs as part of a potential agreement to ease trade tensions.
• Japan's chief negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, departed for Washington to begin the third round of tariff negotiations with U.S. officials.
• Both leaders agreed to continue discussions at the upcoming G7 summit in Canada, though no concrete agreement has been reached so far.