The United States and Japan are set to review energy projects as potential initial investments in a landmark $550 billion joint fund from their trade deal. The first panel session is scheduled for Wednesday in Washington, where a couple of energy projects will be considered. These initiatives could be presented to President Donald Trump in 2026.
The United States and Japan are preparing to evaluate energy projects as the debut investments in a $550 billion joint fund that formed a key part of their trade agreement, according to individuals familiar with the discussions.
The inaugural session of a panel assessing potential investments is set for Wednesday in Washington, which corresponds to Thursday morning in Japan. At this meeting, the consultation committee will examine a couple of energy projects, the sources said, speaking anonymously to discuss non-public matters.
This gathering represents only the initial phase in a multi-step approval process for fund-backed initiatives. Following the panel, an investment committee—chaired by U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick—will conduct a review. Selected projects would then be recommended to President Donald Trump for his final approval.
Details on the projects' specific sectors and the U.S. states involved remain unclear at this stage. The effort underscores deepening economic ties between the two nations, with the fund positioned as a cornerstone of their partnership.
