Japan begins tariff talks with U.S. on Wednesday

Ahead of South Korea's turn for tariff talks with the U.S. scheduled for next week, Japan began its own negotiations with Washington on Wednesday, with a surprise attendance by Trump.

Lee Seung-jae has more.

Top trade officials from Japan arrived in Washington on Wednesday for tariff negotiations with their U.S. counterparts.

Tokyo hopes to lower the reciprocal tariff rate of 24 percent, and receive tariff exemptions on steel and automobiles.

Japanese economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa, who's leading the talks for Tokyo,.. expressed optimism before, saying the two countries could have good negotiations that will lead to a win-win situation for both sides.

U.S. President Donald Trump also joined in on the trade talks with Japanese officials.

Trump took to his social media platform to announce that he would be joining Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in discussing tariffs and trade.

After the talks, Trump wrote on his social media page that it was a "great honor" to have met with the Japanese delegation, adding that there was "big progress" made during the talks.

Trump's decision to get directly involved in the negotiations also comes as he hinted at a desire to cover issues, including the amount Japan pays towards the cost of stationing U.S. soldiers in Japan.

Despite Bessent stressing that there's a "first mover advantage" with more than 75 countries requesting trade talks, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said earlier this week, that Tokyo won't rush to reach a deal, nor does it plan to make major concessions.

With South Korea set to hold talks with the U.S. soon, all eyes are on Wednesday's trade talks between Washington and Tokyo, as they could be a litmus test of what's to come for upcoming negotiations.

Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.