In his tariff letter sent out to Japan earlier this month, Trump had threatened 25% levies on the country's exports to the U.S., starting Aug. 1.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday is expected to deliver remarks on AI in Washington. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is also scheduled to hold a press briefing at 1 p.m. The president also continues to face backlash from his MAGA supporters over his administration's handling of files related to the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump will host Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House today. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said yesterday that the two leaders could discuss trade and the upcoming Aug. 1 tariff deadline.

Japan's top tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, the Asahi newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Japan's embattled prime minister Shigeru Ishiba, fresh off a crushing defeat in upper house elections over the weekend, will not be in a position of strength to negotiate a favorable trade deal with the U.S., analysts said.

The European Union and Japan will work more closely to counter economic coercion and address unfair trade practices, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters on Wednesday. Von der Leyen's comments came after an EU-Japan summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as the EU struggles to conclude a trade deal with the United States and a day before potentially tough meetings with Chinese leaders.