U.S.-Japan trade

As the US and Japan intensify trade negotiations, the push for a quick “mini-deal” on agriculture and autos will have far-reaching impact.

Japan is at the heart of virtually every effort to write new rules governing the global trading system in the 21st century.

In an effort to spare Japan’s auto industry from U.S. tariffs, Abe launched bilateral trade negotiations with Trump in New York.

Their new FTA is “of enormous strategic importance for the rules-based international order,” says the European Council president.

U.S. protectionism has sparked tensions with some of its closest Western allies. Japan remains caught in the middle.

Japan is facing the hard truth: even a close alliance doesn't provide protection from Trump's tariffs.

While a truce was called, the fundamental tensions have not been addressed -- so the 'war' is back on.

Looking beyond short-term crises to the long-term implications for the U.S.-Japan alliance.

What did the U.S. and Japan actually accomplish during Trump's first trip to Japan?

The United States and Japan want fundamentally different things from their trade relationship.

Abe will need to build a relationship with Trump without sparking backlash at home.