Japan and the United States will likely launch trade talks in April or May, later than initially planned, as Washington needs to focus first on negotiations with Beijing, sources with knowledge of the plan said Monday.

Based on an agreement reached last September, the Japan-U.S. talks are expected to be held in Washington before May 26, when President Donald Trump plans to visit Japan, the sources said.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Japanese economic revitalization minister Toshimitsu Motegi were initially expected to meet in March. But Lighthizer's schedule is apparently tight as he is also in charge of the U.S.-China negotiations.