Optimism is growing that a bilateral trade agreement between the U.S. and Japan could be reached very soon. That’s according to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa. He says from what he knows, those discussions are going well.

He doesn’t think the recent government shutdown effected negotiations between the U.S. and Japan.

Grassley says U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has been concentrating on talks with China, so most of the Japan discussions have been handled by lower level officials.

Grassley is hoping the U.S. and China will reach a trade resolution before March 1 and he thinks they’ve had good progress with recent negotiations.