Japan's Motegi may visit U.S. next week to meet trade official Lighthizer

[April 18, 2019]   TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Thursday he might travel to the United States next week to meet U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.

Japan's Minister of Economic Revitalization Toshimitsu Motegi speaks during the signing agreement ceremony for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal, in Santiago, Chile March 8, 2018. REUTERS/Rodrigo Garrido

If a meeting does take place, it would happen before a summit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and U.S. President Donald Trump, Motegi added.

Motegi and Lighthizer are negotiating for a trade pact the U.S. government hopes will lower its trade deficit.

(Reporting by Stanley White; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)

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