Japan’s trade surplus with US soars ahead of talks

Japan’s politically sensitive trade surplus with the United States grew more than 15 per cent in July, data showed yesterday, as negotiators from the two economic powerhouses prepare to restart talks over a free trade deal.

According to Japanese finance ministry statistics, the trade surplus with Washington climbed to 579.4 billion yen ($5.5 billion) last month, a 15.6 per cent year-on-year gain and the fifth consecutive monthly rise.

Japanese imports from the US rose 3.5 per cent, led by aircraft and crude oil, but this was outweighed by an 8.4-per cent climb in exports driven by chip-making equipment and construction machinery, the ministry data showed.

 

Japans trade surplus with US soars ahead of talks

Japans politically sensitive trade surplus with the United States grew more than 15 per cent in July, data showed yesterday, as negotiators from the two economic powerhouses prepare to restart talks over a free trade deal. According to Japanese finance ministry statistics, the trade surplus with Washington climbed to 579.4 billion yen ($5.5 billion) last month, a 15.6 per cent year-on-year gain and the fifth consecutive monthly rise. Japanese imports from the US rose 3.5 per cent, led by aircraft and crude oil, but this was outweighed by an 8.4-per cent climb in exports driven by chip-making equipment and construction machinery, the ministry data showed.