Japan’s top trade negotiator said he expects to visit the U.S. at least once more before the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump issues an executive order that would formally lower tariffs on goods imported from Japan.

"At this point, I will likely visit the U.S. at least once before the executive order is issued,” Ryosei Akazawa, minister for economic revitalization, said in a post-Cabinet meeting news conference Friday. "After the administrative consultations are finalized, consultations among ministers will still be required, and there are consultations that must be completed before the agreement can be implemented.”

Akazawa, who has led Japan’s efforts to reach a trade deal with the U.S., canceled a planned visit to Washington at the last minute Thursday as it became clear that more administrative discussions were needed. Japanese staff are currently in the U.S. discussing these matters with their U.S. counterparts, he said Friday.

Akazawa was speaking as Tokyo continues to press Washington to implement a deal for lower tariffs agreed in late July. That pact includes provisions on reduced duties on cars and auto parts imported from Japan. The U.S. has yet to follow through on the agreement.

Japan wants the U.S. to cut its tariffs on cars and car parts to 15% from 25%, and to end the stacking of previous duties on top of 15% universal tariffs. Those demands require Trump to issue an executive order to address both points.

Previously, Akazawa has repeatedly noted that after the U.S. and U.K. reached a trade pact, it took 54 days before it took effect, hinting that Japan’s deal with the U.S. reached on July 22 might not kick in until mid-September at the earliest.

Countries around the world are still learning to navigate the new environment for global commerce ever since Trump began his tariff campaign just months after taking office in January. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva this week authorized the start of a process to retaliate against the 50% tariffs imposed by Trump, while U.S. ties with India have been frayed by the policies.

The European Union is putting forward proposals to remove all tariffs on U.S. industrial goods, give preferential treatment to some U.S. agricultural and seafood products and prolong the duty-free treatment of American lobster as it seeks relief on U.S. duties on its cars and auto parts.

"We have repeatedly confirmed the importance of faithfully and promptly implementing the agreement between Japan and the U.S., and this will be addressed once all of the points that need to be ironed out are clearly resolved,” Akazawa said Friday. "We will move on to the actual implementation phase of the agreement, but there are discussions that must be completed before that.”