According to Japanese media reports, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono, who is on a visit to the United States, held his first talks with the representative of the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on the 17th of this month.

According to USTR, Lighthize expressed "concern" that the Japanese government launched an "emergency import restriction" (Safeguard) on frozen beef from real estate such as the United States on the 1st of this month.

Reported that this may be the first time Trump administration ministers directly expressed concern about Japan's beef import restrictions. The Trump administration is also likely to take advantage of opportunities such as the Japan-US Economic Dialogue to demand a review of the import restriction system.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Purdue issued a statement on July 28 immediately after Japan decided to launch import restrictions, warning that "this may damage the important trade relationship between Japan and the United States related to agricultural products." "

USTR revealed that Kono and Lighthize have reached a consensus on speeding up negotiations on resolving specific bilateral trade issues and promoting free and fair trade relations.

According to the Japanese Foreign Ministry, the two sides discussed an operational plan for bilateral initiatives in the field of trade promotion.

As a result of the surge in frozen beef imports, the Japanese government has launched a trade protection mechanism to automatically raise tariffs, normally 38.5 per cent, to 50 per cent, which will apply until the end of March next year.

At a congressional hearing in June this year, Lettershitzer said that in order to reduce the trade deficit with Japan, "Japan should make unilateral concessions in trade negotiations in areas such as beef." or will continue to ask Japan to significantly reduce the 38.5% tariff on US-produced beef.