Before Japan can proceed with trade talks with Washington, authorities must first correct several misunderstandings held by President Donald Trump, former foreign minister and previous digital transformation minister Kono Taro said Wednesday.

The U.S. does not have specific currency targets in mind as part of bilateral trade talks with Japan, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday, ahead of an expected meeting with Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato this week.

Japan had long maintained deep economic ties with both China and the United States. Recent trade tensions may challenge that approach.