PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Larry Kudlow, director of the U.S. National Economic Council, told reporters Tuesday, ahead of a Japan-U.S. summit meeting, "The United States would probably like to see a free trade agreement come out at some point with Japan."
Kudlow plays a central role in economic policies of the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
About whether Japan will be exempted from new U.S. restrictions on imports of steel and aluminum, Kudlow said, "It's a key point on the agenda" of the summit meeting.
Kudlow emphatically said: "We [Japan and the United States] have certain disagreements with respect to some of the trading issues. We'll iron those out, hopefully."
Based on that view, Kudlow explained that all issues, including bilateral negotiations and import restrictions, should be discussed, saying, "This is all on the table."
Meanwhile, Trump wrote on Twitter on Tuesday evening after the first day of the Japan-U.S. summit meeting, "[Japan and other countries] would like us to go back into TPP ... Bilateral deals are far more efficient, profitable and better."
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
