TOKYO -- The top Japanese negotiator who put together the recent bilateral trade pact with Washington landed the coveted foreign minister post in the latest cabinet reshuffle. His careful negotiating strategy helped shield automakers from additional U.S. tariffs.
A last-minute offer by Japan to purchase excess American corn helped convince Washington to refrain from imposing additional tariffs on Japanese auto exports, a move that would shave 0.4% off Japan's gross domestic product by some estimates.
