U.S. Stresses Deal Quality Over Speed in Japan Tariff Talks

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday that the U.S. will prioritize securing the best deal for itself in ongoing tariff negotiations with Japan. “Our priorities are not the internal workings of the Japanese government,” Bessent told CNBC. “Our priorities are giving the best deal for the American people.” With an August 1 deadline looming, after which countries could face steep tariffs, Bessent emphasized that President Trump’s administration is focused on the quality of trade deals over speed. “We’re not going to rush for the sake of doing deals,” he said. When asked if the deadline could be extended for countries engaged in active negotiations, Bessent said the decision rests with Trump.