このため、会談の席の配置では米国と相対して座る場所を求めた。
So they sought a place such that the conference seating would have them facing the Americans.

お米屋さんは、言わずと知れた斜陽産業。
Needless to say, dealing in rice is a declining industry.

米国人とイギリス人との間の摩擦が高まった。
Friction between the Americans and the British mounted.

米作は今年は凶作だ。
The rice crop is poor this year.