00:00Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba says he is ready to hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump
00:05to ensure the quick implementation of agreed cuts to the U.S. automobile tariffs.
00:11This comes as Ishiba faces criticism from opposition lawmakers
00:15for failing to sign a formal document when finalizing the trade deal with the U.S. last month.
00:23Ishiba defended the move saying creating a document could have delayed the timing of tariff cuts
00:28as that was their biggest fear.
00:30The deal agreed last month lowers U.S. tariffs on a range of Japanese imports, including automobiles.
00:37However, uncertainty remains over when U.S. auto tariffs will actually be reduced from 25% to 15%.
00:44Japan's top trade negotiator, Ryoseika Akazawa, said the timing remains uncertain,
00:50noting it took more than a month for a similar deal with Britain.
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