A: Hey there! Did you catch the news over the weekend?

B: Nah, what's up?

A: So, Japan's top trade negotiator had a chat on TV and he said our government wants to ask Trump to sign some orders to drop those import taxes fast.

B: Wait, you mean like the tariffs between us and Japan?

A: Exactly! They reached an agreement, but the minister said Trump likes to make quick deals, so if we don't say anything, it might not happen. He even asked Trump if he could ask one more question, like, dozens of times!

B: Haha, that sounds like our president alright! So what's the big deal?

A: Well, with this agreement, Japan managed to drop tariffs by 10% from what was supposed to kick in next month. That means we've avoided around 10 trillion yen in losses, phew!

A: There's also a plan for up to 550 billion dollars to be offered through financial institutions for joint projects with the US. This will help with economic security.

B: Whoa, that's some big numbers! What does this mean for us?

A: Most of it is investments and loans, but only about 1-2% will come from Japan. They plan to save up these funds during Trump's term.

A: And get this, they don't want to write any joint documents now. Instead, they just want Trump to sign those orders to drop the tariffs!
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Japan's top negotiator for trade talks with the United States says the government intends to urge President Donald Trump to sign executive orders necessary to cut tariffs on Japanese imports at an early date.



Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa Ryosei made the remarks in an NHK news program on Saturday.



Akazawa referred to the latest meeting in which Japan and the US reached an agreement on trade and tariffs.



He said Trump is skilled at making deals with a style that presses for an answer. He said if Japan fell silent, that would be the end of it. So Akazawa raised his hand dozens of times, saying, "Mr. President, may I ask one more?"



Akazawa stressed the significance of the agreement, saying Japan successfully lowered tariffs by 10 percentage points from the rate that had been scheduled to kick in on August 1. He said about 10 trillion yen in losses have been avoided.



He also referred to a plan in which up to 550 billion dollars, or about 80 trillion yen, would be offered through government-affiliated financial institutions, including the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, for bilateral cooperation in economic security. The funds will be included in the category of investment, loans and loan guarantees.



He said investment is expected to account for 1 or 2 percent of the total and that the Japanese government plans to accumulate the funds during Trump's term of office.



Akazawa noted that what the government should do now is urge Trump to issue executive orders to lower the tariffs, not to draw up joint documents.
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Quiz 1:
Japan's top negotiator for trade talks with the United States mentioned President Donald Trump's style in the latest meeting. How did Trump usually press for an answer?
A. By sending emails
B. By being silent and waiting for a response
C. By making deals forcefully and urgently
D. By using formal written agreements

[Answer block]
Answers: Quiz 1: C

Quiz 2:
In the article, what percentage of tariffs did Japan successfully lower by?
A. 5%
B. 7%
C. 10%
D. 12%

[Answer block]
Answers: Quiz 2: C

Quiz 3:
How much, in dollars or yen, was planned to be offered through government-affiliated financial institutions for bilateral cooperation in economic security?
A. Up to 550 billion yen (about 80 trillion yen)
B. Up to 1 trillion yen (about 16 trillion yen)
C. Up to 2 trillion yen (about 32 trillion yen)
D. More than 5 trillion yen (about 80 trillion yen)

[Answer block]
Answers: Quiz 3: A