U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he expects to get the trade gap with Japan "straightened out rapidly," adding that announcements on that could come as soon as August.

Trump was speaking ahead of his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo, as the American president embarked on a state visit amid looming trade issues between the two countries.

"Trade-wise, I think we'll be announcing some things, probably in August that will be very good for both countries," Trump said, according to Reuters. "We'll get the balance of trade, I think, straightened out rapidly."

According to the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. had a deficit of $56.8 billion in goods and services with Japan in 2018.

The president's state visit comes amid tensions with carmaker Toyota over potential auto tariffs. Trump has repeatedly threatened Japanese and European carmakers with tariffs.

But earlier in Mar, Trump delayed a decision on car levies for up to six months and directed U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to seek trade agreements with Tokyo and Brussels.

Still, the president ratcheted up pressure on Japan the first day he arrived, saying on Saturday that "Japan has had a substantial advantage for many, many years." He also called on Japanese businesses to invest more in the United States.

"President Trump ... would like to claim credit for some progress on trade — whether it's agriculture or products or automobiles, but he can wait because his election isn't till November next year," said Glen Fukushima, former deputy assistant of United States Trade Representative for Japan and China during Ronald Reagan's administration told CNBC on Monday.

Trump had previously said he did not expect major progress until July, when Abe's ruling bloc faces an election for parliament's upper house.

"Trump and Abe have established a good relationship. Both have been relying on each other to help them domestically," said Fukushima, who is now senior fellow at the Center for American Progress think tank.