Japan Says US Trade Deal Excludes Steel, Aluminum, Defense Budget Items

Japan’s chief trade negotiator, Ichiro Akazawa, said the trade agreement recently struck with the United States excludes steel and aluminum. The metals therefore remain outside the scope of the deal and subject to any existing tariffs or separate negotiations. Akazawa also confirmed the accord does not address defense spending, noting military-budget matters are being handled on a different track. Further details of the agreement’s covered sectors have not yet been released.