Japan's Minister of Economic Revitalization holds additional phone call with U.S. Commerce Minister to ”reaffirm both countries' positions” - South Korean media

Akimasa Akazawa, Minister of State for Economic Revitalization, who is visiting Washington DC for the seventh round of tariff negotiations with the United States, held two telephone talks with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Robert Lutnick on the 28th (local time).
According to Kyodo News and other sources, Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa spoke with Commerce Secretary Rutnick for 15 minutes from 10:00 a.m. and for 20 minutes from 7:00 p.m. on the same day.
In a statement, the Japanese government said, "Following the discussions held the previous day, we reaffirmed the positions of both Japan and the United States regarding the U.S. tariff measures."
"We held productive discussions on trade expansion, non-tariff measures, and economic security," he said. "The two countries will continue to cooperate proactively to reach mutually beneficial agreements."
According to the Japanese government the day before, the heads of the talks, Minister of Economic Revitalization Akazawa and Secretary of Commerce Rutnick, met for about 65 minutes and discussed trade expansion, non-tariff measures, and cooperation in the field of economic security.
The seventh round of Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations was the first to be held since President Trump and Prime Minister Ishiba met on the sidelines of the G7 summit held in Canada on the 16th.
The two sides discussed tariffs and other issues for 30 minutes, but no conclusion was reached. Japan offered to increase imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and corn from the U.S. as a bargaining chip, but the two sides were unable to reach a consensus.
It is said that no agreement could be found with the United States regarding automobile tariffs. Currently, Japan exports more than 1.37 million cars to the United States annually, and the current negotiations aim to secure a certain degree of tariff relief.
Currently, the United States imposes tariffs of 25% on automobiles and auto parts, and 50% on steel and aluminum.
On the 26th, just before departing from Haneda Airport, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akazawa told reporters, "We are not setting a deadline for negotiations, but
"We will continue the negotiations with July 9 (the end of the mutual tariff grace period) in mind," he said, adding, "We believe that a 25% tariff on automobiles is not something that Japan can accept."
Initially, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akazawa was scheduled to return to Japan on the 29th, but postponed his return in order to meet face-to-face with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is leading the tariff negotiations.
It appears that a face-to-face meeting with the Secretary ultimately did not take place.