By Antoni Slodkowski TOKYO (Reuters) – Big gaps remain between the United States and Japan after two days of top-level talks on a bilateral trade deal that is vital for a broader regional pact, negotiators on both sides said on Thursday. Japan and the United States are seeking a two-way trade deal, regarded as a key part of the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), before U.S. President Barack Obama travels to Japan for an April 24-25 state visit. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has touted it as a main element of his economic growth strategy. And our expectations have been met,” U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman told reporters after talks with Japanese Economics Minister Akira Amari.
