U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Akasaka Palace state guest house in Tokyo, Japan, May 27, 2019. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
May 28, 2019
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Tuesday U.S. President Donald Trump’s comment signaling an announcement on trade in August likely reflected his hope of quick progress in bilateral trade negotiations.
“When you look at the exact wording of his comments, you can see that the president was voicing his hopes of swift progress in talks toward something that is mutually beneficial,” Motegi told reporters at a regular cabinet meeting.
Trump told reporters after a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday that he expected the two countries to be “announcing some things, probably in August, that will be very good for both countries” on trade.
(Reporting by Leika Kihara; Editing by Chris Gallagher)
