US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit on Monday, according to Japan’s government, in what is set to be a key marker of how trade talks are progressing and the impact for Ishiba’s political future.

Japan and the U.S. on Friday explored the possibility of a trade agreement, Japan's top tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, told a briefing, while refraining from commenting how close they are to reaching a deal.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump could meet in Canada on Monday on the sidelines of the

Japan and the US have begun the latest round of trade negotiations, with media reports suggesting Tokyo’s delegation is trying to win a reprieve from the tariffs by pledging to make more cars in the US and enhancing cooperation on rare earths.

Japan's top tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick spoke by phone for 30 minutes on Saturday and explored the possibility of a trade deal, the Japanese government said in a statement.

Japan and the US held another round of trade talks in Washington as officials try to reach an agreement ahead of a Group of Seven summit in Canada and a meeting between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he won’t rush into a trade deal with the US that would hurt the nation’s interests, although he’d welcome any progress made before an expected summit with US President Donald Trump.

Japans top trade negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick held a 30-minute phone call on Saturday, discussing prospects for a bilateral trade agreement, according to a statement from