$STO

American and Japanese officials agree to begin working-level consultations

The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued a statement on Friday local time stating that senior officials from the United States and Japan have agreed to immediately begin working-level consultations based on current discussions and to hold more ministerial meetings in the near future. The statement mentioned that U.S. Treasury Secretary Jeff Bissant and U.S. Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative Jason met with Japanese Minister of Economic Revitalization Ryomasa Akazawa on Thursday local time. The two sides held an open and constructive discussion on fair and reciprocal trade. During the meeting, Bissant emphasized to Akazawa the importance of tariffs and non-tariff measures, economic security as a national security issue, and other pressing concerns.