(VOVworld) – The US and Japan have reached no consensus in a ministerial meeting over Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement after 3-day working in Washington, the US.

Akira Amari, Japanese Minister for Economic and Fiscal Policy, speaks to reporters after he met with US Trade Representative Michael Froman in Tokyo, April 10, 2014. (Photo: Yoshikazu Tsuno)

Speaking after more than 20 hours of negotiations with Japanese Minister for Economic and Fiscal Policy Akira Amari on Friday, US Trade Representative Michael Froman said that intense negotiations narrowed the gap between the two sides, but “considerable differences” remain. Forman said the overall goal is “meaningful access” to the Japanese market, a goal that all TPP partners share.

Minister Amari said there is a number of issues that need to be discussed. This week’s negotiations are considered very important for both sides to prepare for a summit between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Barack Obama in Tokyo next week. The negotiations focused on Tokyo’s lifting of tariff barriers on pork and beef imported from the US.

Froman is scheduled to travel to Japan next Monday to continue negotiations to reach a preliminary agreement on TPP before the summit.