Japan's trade negotiator said Friday Washington won't be demanding any numerical restrictions on Japanese auto exports to the U.S.
Toshimitsu Motegi, the economy minister, told reporters he had confirmed this by speaking with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.
The comments could not immediately be confirmed after office hours in the U.S. Earlier, media reports said this was a possibility.
Autos are a big issue in trade talks between the two countries that began after President Donald Trump pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade bloc. Japan is part of the TPP and has a trade deal with the European Union.
The trade surplus with the U.S. has long been a sticking point in bilateral relations. Trump is set to visit Japan later this month.
The administration sees the threat of the auto tariffs and other restrictions as a way to gain leverage over trading partners such as the European Union and Japan in ongoing trade talks.
A decision on whether the White House will impose tariffs on autos from Europe is due by Saturday. CNBC, quoting unnamed sources, earlier reported that the administration was close to announcing a postponement of the auto tariffs for up to six months.
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Oakland Athletics left-hander Ken Waldichuk had reconstructive surgery on his troublesome pitching elbow and will be sidelined all season, another tough injury blow for the pitcher this past year.
Already on the 60-day injured list with a ulnar collateral ligament sprain in his pitching arm, he was examined by Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday and it was determined he needed the procedure. Waldichuk suffered a setback in his rehab after facing hitters April 29.
The surgery performed by ElAttrache included a flexor tendon repair and a UCL reconstruction with internal brace procedure. Waldichuk will return to Oakland and his rehabilitation.
Waldichuk had been working his way back from an offseason procedure to remove scar tissue from his pitching elbow to help alleviate pain he experienced after his final start of the 2023 season.
Waldichuk pitched Sept. 29 on the road against the Los Angeles Angels and then began experiencing discomfort. He was later diagnosed with a flexor tendon strain and an ulnar collateral ligament sprain following an MRI exam.
He was first examined by Dr. Mike Freehill at Stanford and then also by ElAttrache. Waldichuk chose to go the conservative route for rehab and had a Tenex procedure with Dr. Steve Yoon on Oct. 17 to remove the scar tissue. He had a follow-up PRP injection to the flexor tendon on Oct. 24 and began physical therapy.
Waldichuk went 4-9 with a 5.36 ERA in 35 appearances and 22 starts with one save over 141 innings for the A’s in 2023, his first full big league season.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
FILE - Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Ken Waldichuk delivers during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 24, 2023, in Chicago. Waldichuk had reconstructive surgery on his troublesome pitching elbow and will be sidelined all season, another tough injury blow for the pitcher this past year. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
