関税かんぜい交渉こうしょうで政府せいふ 自動車じどうしゃ含ふくむパッケージでの合意ごういを目指めざし検討けんとうへ

The Japanese government is aiming to reach an agreement in a package that includes reviewing tariffs on automobiles in relation to the Trump administrations tariff measures in the United States, and plans to consider whether there are any concessions it can offer in preparation for the next round of Japan-U.S. negotiations.

Prime Minister Ishiba received a report on the second round of Japan-U.S. negotiations from Minister Akazawa in charge of economic revitalization, who returned from the United States on the 3rd.

And I instructed Minister Akazawa and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi to swiftly and carefully consider their response in preparation for further progress in the next round of negotiations, which is expected to take place in the middle of this month or later.

In this negotiation, while the Japanese side once again strongly requested a review of a series of measures, the American side expressed a negative stance, saying—as they did in last months first round regarding automobiles and steel—that Japan cannot be given special treatment.

In relation to this, Prime Minister Ishiba stated, We had in-depth and constructive discussions, including on the handling of sector-specific tariffs such as those on automobiles.

The Japanese government is aiming for an agreement as a package, including tariffs on automobiles, rather than on a sector-by-sector basis. Minister Akazawa stated, Everything, including automobiles and steel, is regrettable, and unless these are properly included in the package, an agreement cannot be reached.

According to government officials, so far the Japanese side has proposed measures such as revising systems to make it easier to import American cars, expanding imports of soybeans and corn, and providing technical cooperation in the shipbuilding sector. Meanwhile, the American side has presented a list of items that they point out as non-tariff barriers.

The government believes that, although no common ground has been found at this point, there is still room for compromise. Therefore, it plans to consider whether there are any points that could be used to elicit concessions from the American side in the next round of negotiations.