As the global trade landscape becomes increasingly complex, tariff negotiations between Japan and the United States are entering a critical phase. According to the Japanese government, the fourth round of Japan-US ministerial-level tariff talks will commence on the 30th of this month. Japan's Minister of Economic Revitalization, Ryosei Akazawa, will engage in face-to-face consultations with US Treasury Secretary Besent, aiming to reach a consensus on key tariff issues before the G7 summit in June.

In the past two weeks, the two countries have held several rounds of preliminary trade representative-level talks. Although some technical progress has been made, the absence of US Treasury Secretary Besent, a key figure, has sparked widespread speculation about a possible shift in US negotiation strategy. Analysts believe the US maintains a tough stance by adhering to the "reciprocal tariffs" principle, which complicates achieving a significant breakthrough in these talks.

Japan hopes to secure tariff exemptions on its key automotive, semiconductor, and high-end manufacturing products through concessions such as expanding US agricultural imports and enhancing technology transfer and industrial cooperation. Informed sources reveal that Tokyo is particularly concerned about the possibility of the US imposing high tariffs on Japanese electric vehicles and advanced chip products, which would directly impact Japanese exports.

Despite existing differences, both Japan and the US acknowledge the crucial timing of the current negotiations. Reaching a consensus before the G7 summit could not only stabilize bilateral economic and trade relations but also send a positive signal to the global multilateral trade system. Several analysts point out that the success or failure of these ministerial-level talks may largely determine the trajectory of Japan-US economic cooperation in the latter half of 2024.

Tokyo is diligently preparing negotiation strategies and strengthening communication and coordination with domestic industries to secure greater room for maneuver in negotiations without compromising core interests. The Japanese side has also not ruled out the possibility of direct consultations via hotline before the summit, demonstrating a strong willingness to reach an agreement.

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