U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Monday that the United States will focus on securing the most favorable terms for itself in its ongoing tariff negotiations with Japan. Speaking to CNBC, Bessent stated, "Our primary concern is not the internal affairs of the Japanese government. Our priority is to ensure the best possible deal for the American people." With an impending deadline of August 1—which could introduce significant tariffs on participating countries—Bessent underscored that the Trump administration values the substance of trade agreements over their expediency. "We will not expedite the process merely for the sake of closing deals," he affirmed. When questioned about the possibility of extending the deadline for nations actively engaged in negotiations, Bessent indicated that the ultimate decision lies with President Trump.