Japan is holding tariff talks with the United States as it races to avert a 25 per cent levy that will be imposed unless a deal is clinched by an Aug 1 deadline. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is also scheduled to meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Tokyo on Friday (Jul 18), according to the Japanese government. Tokyo-based columnist and author William Pesek tells CNA’s Asia First that US President Trump may have to “start from scratch” regarding a trade deal if Ishiba leaves