ISTANBUL

Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is seeking to hold trade talks with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Kyodo News reported on Tuesday, citing government sources.

According to the sources, the meeting may possibly take place on Friday during Secretary Bessent’s visit to Japan for the World Exposition in the coastal city of Osaka.

The development came after the President Donald Trump’s announcement that the US intends to slap a 25% levy on Japanese imports starting on Aug. 1.

The planned meeting would take place prior to Sunday's upper house election in Japan, where media polls suggest Ishiba's ruling coalition may have a difficult time holding onto majority control.

Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's senior tariff negotiator, is expected to greet the team, the sources mentioned.

On Tuesday, Akaza told a news conference, "We will continue negotiations over tariffs with the United States through various channels," without mentioning whether he would have full-fledged discussions with Bessent while he is in Japan.

On July 7, Trump notified several US trading partners of increased country-specific "reciprocal tariff" rates. Japan would now be subject to 25% of the tax, up from 24% announced in April.