TOKYO, May 23, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Japan's tariffs envoy headed to the United States on Friday for a third round of talks, saying he will again "strongly demand a review" of the measures imposed by President Donald Trump's administration.

Japan, a key US ally and its biggest investor, is subject to the same 10 percent baseline tariffs placed on most nations plus steeper levies on cars, steel and aluminium.

Trump also announced "reciprocal" tariffs on Japan of 24 percent in early April, but later paused them along with those on other countries until early July.

"The series of tariff measures taken by the US are regrettable. We'll strongly demand a review of these measures," economic revitalisation minister Ryosei Akazawa told reporters at Tokyo's Haneda airport as he departed for Washington.

"But we have to reach an agreement, so it has to be win-win for both sides. We'll listen carefully to the various proposals and ideas of the US side, and look for common ground between the two sides," he said.

Public broadcaster NHK and other Japanese media reported, citing government sources, that US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent would not attend the talks this time.

Akazawa would travel again to Washington on May 30, the reports said.

Trump's 25-percent auto tariffs are particularly painful for Tokyo, with roughly eight percent of all Japanese jobs tied to the sector.

Early this month, the Trump administration also slapped a new 25 percent import tax on auto parts including engines and transmissions.