Donald Trump has signed a partial deal on trade with Shinzo Abe, the Japanese prime minister, easing commercial tensions between the countries as Tokyo made agricultural concessions in exchange for a reduction in some US industrial tariffs.
Mr Trump said the partial deal was a “huge victory for America’s farmers, ranchers and growers”, opening up the Japanese market to $7bn of American products. He added that the agreement would reduce the bilateral trade deficit with Japan and “deepen our enduring national ties”. Mr Abe called it a “win-win solution” that would “develop the economies” of both countries.
According to a statement from the US Trade Representative, the deal will cut tariffs on beef and pork products sold to Japan and set a quota for wheat and wheat products exported from the US. It would also eliminate tariffs immediately on items including almonds, blueberries and broccoli entering Japan — and in stages for items such as cheese and wine.