U.S. secretary of commerce says FTA with Japan premature, wants to boost trade ties

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said after holding talks with Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko in Tokyo on April 18 it is premature for the two countries to sign a free trade agreement (FTA), and that Washington will seek to strengthen bilateral trade relations.

Ross added that he aims to hold another round of talks with his Japanese counterpart in Washington this coming June.

Seko told reporters that he held "specific, frank and businesslike talks" with Ross on a bilateral trade pact. However, he declined to elaborate on the talks, only saying, "I'd like to wait for the outcome of the economic dialogue."

Japan's trade minister also disclosed that he and Ross exchanged opinions on developing human resources in the cyber field and cooperation in building infrastructure.