Japan

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is expected to notify to Congress as soon as this week that the administration intends to formally launch trade negotiations with Japan, the European Union and the United Kingdom, according to several sources with knowledge of the plans.

The U.S. wants a trade deal with Japan that is at least as good as the one Tokyo recently struck with the European Union, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said on Thursday.

U.S. agriculture groups say they would be satisfied if a U.S.-Japan trade deal offers them the same levels of market access as those negotiated in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a line that Tokyo has laid down for the negotiations.

The U.S. and Japan have agreed to begin negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement, the two countries announced in a joint statement on Wednesday.

USTR Robert Lighthizer met in New York City with Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko and EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström.

Japan is expected to continue to balk at a bilateral trade deal with the U.S. during high-level talks that will resume on Sept. 24, analysts say, but could be forced into negotiations in the face of sustained U.S. pressure and the threat of Section 232 tariffs on autos.

The U.S., Japan and the European Union are expected to continue a joint effort to address Chinese trade practices this week, with officials slated to hold working-level talks in Washington to build on previous ministerial meetings.

USTR: “They understand each other’s conditions for further discussions and plan to move forward with additional talks.”

Japan halted imports of in 2003 after mad cow disease was found in U.S. cattle.