OSAKA – United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai today met with Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kamikawa Yoko, on the margins of the G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting.
Ambassador Tai began by thanking the Government of Japan for designing a substantive and informative agenda, which has facilitated candid discussions, during this year’s Trade Ministers’ Meeting.
Ambassador Tai and Minister Kamikawa discussed updates on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. Minister Kamikawa noted the tangible progress that was made at the most recent negotiating round in Kuala Lumpur and reiterated Japan’s commitment to the IPEF. Ambassador Tai noted that Prime Minister Kishida hosted President Biden in Tokyo in May 2022 to formally launch the IPEF and thanked the Government of Japan for its continued support.
Ambassador Tai and Minister Kamikawa also reflected on their shared concerns regarding non-market economic policies and practices. Ambassador Tai pointed to the Joint Declaration Against Trade-Related Economic Coercion and Non-Market Policies and Practices in June 2023 as an example of the United States, Japan, and their partners coming together to address serious issues affecting their people.
Finally, Ambassador Tai thanked Minister Kamikawa for the Government of Japan’s support for the U.S.-Japan Partnership on Trade, which will hold its next meeting in Washington, D.C. in December 2023.
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