Japan and the United States were at odds Thursday over trade policy, with Tokyo calling for a U.S. return to the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Washington pushing for a bilateral trade deal.
Speaking to reporters after meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer for the first round of ministerial trade talks in Washington, economic revitalization minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the two sides will continue talks Friday.
During Thursday's session, Motegi told Lighthizer that Japan believes the TPP — the 11-member regional trade pact from which the United States withdrew last year — is the best trade deal for the two countries.