US Japan trade talks continue in lead up to G7 Summit
- Adam German
- Jun 13, 2025
- 2 min read
On June 11th, Japan Society President Joshua Walker spoke with CNBC's Squawk Box Asia on how Japan tries to integrate national security into its economic strategy, as the country pushes to secure a pivotal trade deal with the United States.
Key Takeaways:
US-China tensions spill into tech and trade diplomacy. The video opens with a powerful insight into how national security, not consumer trade, now dominates the US-China conversation—shaping alliances and setting the tone for global economic policy.
Japan leverages decades of experience in critical minerals. Joshua Walker highlights Japan’s unique position as a seasoned negotiator with China on critical minerals and a pioneer in the concept of “economic security.”
High-stakes talks between the US and Japan hit a critical stage. With five rounds of negotiations behind them, Tokyo and Washington remain locked in complex discussions, with both sides under pressure to strike a deal ahead of key international summits.
G7 Summit looms as a make-or-break moment. The clock is ticking as both countries eye the G7 as the ideal platform for announcing progress—yet core issues, like Japan’s auto industry, still stand in the way.
Domestic politics raises the stakes in Tokyo. With national elections approaching, Japanese officials are pushing hard for a breakthrough while navigating political constraints that limit their room to maneuver.
A breakthrough could unlock major US-Japan investment. Walker points to widespread optimism in Tokyo, where leaders believe that finalizing a deal would clear the path for deeper investment and closer economic ties.
Defense budgets rise, but Japan insists on separation from trade. While Tokyo doubles down on security spending, Japanese officials are adamant that defense and trade remain distinct—despite growing strategic overlap in the region.
Business leaders call for clarity amid mounting uncertainty. From boardrooms to government offices, Japan’s top decision-makers are seeking stable ground as they navigate what Walker calls a "dense fog" of policy ambiguity.
Who is Joshua Walker?
Joshua W. Walker, PhD, has been President and CEO of Japan Society since December 2019. Before that, he led Japan and strategic initiatives at Eurasia Group and previously served as CEO of the USA Pavilion at the 2017 World Expo in Astana. He was also founding dean of the APCO Institute and Senior Vice President at APCO Worldwide.
His public service includes roles at the U.S. State and Defense Departments. He is a Senior Fellow at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress and teaches at George Mason University in partnership with the Reagan Foundation. A former Transatlantic Fellow at the German Marshall Fund, he also co-founded the Yale Journal of International Affairs.
Dr. Walker holds degrees from the University of Richmond, Yale, and Princeton. Raised in Japan, he is bilingual and bicultural, and moved to the U.S. at eighteen years of age.
