TOKYO - US tariff negotiators appeared reluctant to lower levies on cars, steel and aluminium in a recent meeting with Japanese counterparts - a stance that made the Japanese side feel that cooperation could be difficult, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Friday.
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US negotiators including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with Japan's top trade negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa and other Japanese officials in Washington on Thursday and presented a proposed framework for a trade agreement, the paper said.
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During the meeting, Japan explained an outline of measures it would take to reduce its huge trade surplus with the US such as reviewing non-tariff barriers on auto imports and expanding purchases of US agricultural goods, the Nikkei said, citing sources it did not identify.
