Japan's top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa held talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on US tariffs on Thursday (Jul 17), as Tokyo races to avert a 25 per cent levy that will be imposed unless a deal is clinched by an Aug 1 deadline. During the 45-minute phone call, the two sides "re-confirmed each other's position on US tariff measures and engaged in deep conversation", Japan's government said in a statement, adding that Tokyo would continue dialogue with Washington. The phone talks came after President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the US would likely keep 25 per cent tariffs on imports from ... (full story)