Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday announced negotiations will start with Japan to implement President Donald Trump's vision for "the new Golden Age of Global Trade."
Bessent said on X that Trump tasked him to open negotiations with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his Cabinet.
"Japan remains among America's closest allies, and I look forward to our upcoming productive engagement regarding tariffs, non-tariff trade barriers, currency issues, and government subsidies," Bessent said. "I appreciate the Japanese government's outreach and measured approach to this process.
Bessent added that China is refusing to negotiate a trade policy.
"China has chosen to isolate itself by retaliating and doubling down on previous negative behavior," Bessent wrote on social media. "Over 50 countries have responded both openly and positively to President Donald Trump's historic action to create a fairer, more prosperous system of global trade. We look forward to meaningful negotiations with them over the coming weeks."