May 26 (NHK) - Japan's top trade negotiator with the United States has said both sides continue to differ on negotiations for a trade deal, adding that they need to work further to narrow the gap.
Minister in charge of TPP and Japan-US Trade Negotiations Toshimitsu Motegi met US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in Tokyo on Saturday.
After the meeting, Motegi told reporters that he doesn't expect the summit to produce a partial agreement on trade issues. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump are scheduled to confer on Monday.
But Motegi suggested the possibility of working-level meetings.
Motegi also said Lighthizer did not press for deeper tariff cuts on agricultural products than levels agreed upon in the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal.
He added that his US counterpart did not make any demands on Japan's automobile exports or foreign exchange operations.
Source: ANNnewsCH
