- Despite early White House signals suggesting a trade deal with Japan was imminent, negotiations in Washington, D.C., ended without an agreement, highlighting Japan’s ongoing concerns and reluctance to concede ahead of domestic elections. Conflicting messages from U.S. officials and resistance from global partners like China suggest bilateral trade talks will be protracted, casting doubt on President Trump’s ambitious “90 deals in 90 days” goal.
During the weeks leading up to a visit from Japan’s chief trade negotiator, the White House dropped hints it was closing in on a deal.
