TOKYO: Japan's top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa held talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on US tariffs on Thursday (Jul 17), as Tokyo races to avert a 25 per cent levy that will be imposed unless a deal is clinched by an Aug 1 deadline. During the 45-minute phone call, the two sides "re-confirmed each other's position on US tariff measures and engaged in deep conversation", Japan's government said in a statement, adding that Tokyo would continue dialogue with Washington. The