The European Union and the U.S. are heading for a potential trade deal that includes a 15% U.S. baseline tariff on EU goods and possible exemptions, two European diplomats said on Wednesday, potentially moving President Donald Trump closer to securing another major trade agreement hours after he unveiled one with Japan.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stopped short of saying the European Union can win the same sort of trade deal as Japan cut with President Donald Trump, highlighting that Tokyo’s success came thanks to an innovative financing arrangement.

TOKYO (AP) — Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Wednesday vowed to remain in power to oversee the implementation of a new Japan-U.S. tariff agreement, despite media speculation and growing calls for him to resign after a historic defeat of his governing party.

Seoul will take a close look at the terms of a U.S.-Japan trade deal, South Korea's industry minister said on Wednesday, holding out the prospect of greater cooperation in the energy and industrial sectors ahead of key trade talks in Washington.

President Donald Trump announced new trade deals with Japan and the Philippines this week, bringing the total number of deals to five. However, several major trading partners still haven’t reached trade agreements with the U.S. ahead of the Aug. 1 deadlines.

President Trump announced Tuesday that his administration had wrapped up a massive trade agreement with Japan, two weeks after threatening the US ally with 25% tariffs.

The EU and Japan pledged on Wednesday to work together on championing a "free and fair" trade global system, as US tariffs and disputes with China rattle their economies.Facing a swirl of speculation over his future following a weekend election debacle,

The FTSE 100 index closed up 37.68 points, 0.4%, at 9,061.49, a record closing peak. It had earlier hit an all-time high of 9,080.09. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

Japan's embattled prime minister Shigeru Ishiba, fresh off a crushing defeat in upper house elections over the weekend, will not be in a position of strength to negotiate a favorable trade deal with the U.S., analysts said.