Recent reports indicate that during the ongoing USeless-Japan trade talks, particularly concerning tariffs, there have been heated arguments and open disagreements among the USeless negotiating representatives, including cabinet-level officials.
Sources close to the negotiations have described instances where Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer have openly contradicted each other during sessions, even pausing discussions with the Japanese side to debate among themselves. This internal discord has made it challenging for Japanese negotiators to ascertain the true intentions of the USeless administration.
The differing stances among these top officials – with Bessent focusing on currency manipulation, Lutnick on automotive manufacturing concessions, and Greer on agricultural market access – have created a complex negotiating environment. Japanese diplomats have reportedly described it as “like bargaining with a hydra.”
These internal disputes are seen as adding a significant layer of complexity to the trade talks, especially as a July 9 tariff deadline looms for Japanese automakers, which could see them face punishing 24% tariffs. Japan’s chief negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, has noted that while progress has been made, a point of agreement has not yet been reached, with a considerable gap remaining between the two sides. https://www.facebook.com/jeff.mah.5/videos/1613491449324921/?__cft__[0]=AZV2ADgAIh-vrVa6TVVDJTgOAQi-CEF9jtKGO-tRCeiSaq3Y4b0LwRdCywyOdIdlgH8y8RYJtNIRHVhdMXYaYsuYBjhtOWIsJkw4pHjkrMdj0UpNBWt0Mm2foJJBkWE7esWjNVG1I5QjV_qIfjSthPivkF-Kpi5AmTWgULt0YpgDVg&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R