Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed optimism on Sunday that his country could avoid higher U.S. tariffs, saying President Donald Trump had "recognised" Japan's huge investment in the U.S.

Another sensitive issue Ishiba was expected to address in the leaders’ private talkswas Japan’s Nippon Steel’s efforts to win approval for a $14.1 billion acquisition of the

"We love Japan!" Trump said as he greeted Ishiba and the two shook hands. Trump later told reporters at they sat together in the Oval Office that the two countries would work together to get U.S. trade deficit with Japan down to "even.