[ferro-alloys.com] The US and Japan will begin discussions on a bilateral trade deal, the two countries said Wednesday, following a meeting in New York between US President Donald Trump and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

"The US and Japan will enter into negotiations, following the completion of necessary domestic procedures, for a US-Japan Trade Agreement on goods, as well as on other key areas including services, that can produce early achievements," the US and Japan said in a joint statement.

Japanese Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer also met in New York this week.

It was unclear Wednesday if a potential trade agreement could result in Japan getting an exemption to the US Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum. However, the joint statement said the US and Japan will "make efforts for the early solution of other tariff-related issues."

Japan, which has been subject to the US metals tariffs since they took effect in March, has been critical of its inclusion in the trade action as it contends that its metals exports are not a threat to US national security.

On its end, the US said one focus of the trade negotiations will be to enhance US access to Japan's motor vehicle sector.

• [Editor:王可]