TOKYO – United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai met today with Japan's Minister for Economy, Trade, and Industry Nishimura Yasutoshi, together with United States Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel. The Ministers primarily discussed the status of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and expressed their support for making meaningful progress during the May negotiating round in Singapore. The Ministers also discussed how to best make use of the ambitious negotiating schedule planned for the remainder of 2023.
Additionally, the Ministers applauded the recent signing and entry into force of the U.S.-Japan Critical Minerals Agreement, and discussed issues relating to the implementation of commitments in areas such as labor and environment.
The Ministers also discussed other issues of common interest under the U.S.-Japan Partnership on Trade, such as joint efforts to eradicate the use of forced labor in global supply chains, and scheduling the first meeting of the Task Force on the Promotion of Human Rights and International Labor Standards in Supply Chains.
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