Ishiba traveled to the G7 summit in Canada hoping a direct appeal might get talks back on track after Japanese negotiators struggled to secure respite on a 25% tariff imposed on imported cars, according to two officials with knowledge of the matter.

Japanese premier Shigeru Ishiba's bid to get U.S. President Donald Trump to relax tariffs imperiling his country's economy and his political future fell flat this week, underlining the gulf between the allies as more levies are set to kick in.

Japan will prioritize protecting its national interests in trade talks without rushing into a deal with the US, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said as he wrapped up two days of meetings at the Group of Seven gathering.