Japan s early trade talks with the US offer countries few clues on the way forward

TOKYO/NEW DELHI/SEOUL – No accord was signed, and a yawning gap still remains between the two countries.

But to all intents and purposes, the first round of trade talks between the US and Japan on April 16 is seen in Tokyo as a relative success.

Not that US President Donald Trump moved even a millimetre on any of his positions on tariffs.

But he touted “big progress” in discussions with Japan’s Economic Revitalisation Minister Ryosei Akazawa, whom Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba appointed as tariff czar. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer were also involved in the talks.

“A Great Honour to have just met with the Japanese Delegation on Trade. Big Progress!” Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, attaching a photograph of him and Mr Akazawa sporting broad grins.

The US President also gave Mr Akazawa a signed “Make America Great Again” cap.

He had on April 2 announced “reciprocal” tariffs ranging from 10 per cent to 50 per cent on many of the US’ trading partners, with Japan being slapped with 24 per cent. These tariffs are now on pause for 90 days until July 8 and many countries are scrambling to negotiate with the US over them.

These countries include South Korea and India, which may be looking for clues in Japan’s approach to build rapport with the mercurial president. But there were few hints forthcoming, as concrete details remain scant.

South Korea, like Japan, has borne the brunt of Mr Trump’s criticism that it is not doing enough in defence cost sharing, with both East Asian countries being host to thousands of US troops.

Mr Trump raised the issue of defence burden with Japan on April 16 and said on Truth Social that it would be part