The world's first and third largest economies have agreed on an initial trade deal. U.S. President Donald Trump is calling the breakthrough with Japan "tremendous," but the deal does not cover autos, which was a key sticking point in talks.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Trump signed a joint statement in New York after confirming the accord.
(Donald Trump / U.S. President)
"Japanese tariffs will now be significantly lower, or eliminated entirely, for U.S. beef, pork, wheat, cheese, corn, wine, and so much more. This is a huge victory for America's farmers, ranchers, and growers, and that's very important to me."
Under the terms of the agreement, Japan will open its market to U.S. farm products, up to the same level as the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Both sides will continue to negotiate tariffs on automobiles and auto parts. Japan wants the U.S. to scrap them. The joint statement signed by the leaders says the U.S. will refrain from slapping additional levies on imported Japanese automobiles — something Trump has threatened to do.
◆breakthrough 進展、打開 an important new discovery in something you are studying, especially one made after trying for a long time
◆sticking point （交渉などの）障害、支障 something that a group of people cannot agree on and that stops them from making progress
◆accord 協定、協約 a formal agreement between countries or groups
◆rancher 牧場主、農場の経営者 someone who owns or works on a ranch
◆scrap （交渉などの）廃止する、廃棄する to decide not to use a plan or system because it is not practical
◆levy（税などの）徴収、取り立て to officially say that people must pay a tax or charge
