U.S. President Donald Trump said that Japan is sending a team to negotiate on trade. He also said that he had a recent conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who separately stated that he urged Trump to reconsider tariff policies that took effect last week.
Trump’s decision to impose a 25% tariff on auto imports and a 24% duty on other Japanese goods is expected to significantly impact Japan’s export-driven economy, with analysts warning it could shave up to 0.8% off the country’s economic growth.
Japan sends government officials in an attempt to counter Trump’s recent tariff policies
Officials whose identities were concealed due to internal policies revealed that two top government officials sent to the U.S. to set the stage for future tariff talks included a senior deputy minister at Japan’s Foreign Ministry, Takeshi Akahori, and a vice minister for international affairs at Japan’s Trade Ministry, Takehiko Matsuo, who are currently in the United States.
Moreover, these officials highlighted that the visit was part of Tokyo’s initial efforts to prepare for the crucial trade negotiations between U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Japan’s Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa. However, the officials did not mention the date or time when Akazawa will be in the U.S. for negotiations.
Akazawa is among the Japanese officials trying to secure a reprieve against Trump’s tariff policies. In support of this, just recently, during a parliamentary session, Akazawa stated that the government will keep requesting that the U.S. reconsider its decisions.
In addition, in a statement, he asserted that they would think about what would benefit their country and which of their many options would work best.
Although the details of the negotiations are unclear, Japan might be relieved to have at least a seat at the negotiating table early. Additionally, another factor that relieved Japan was the U.S. secretary of the treasury’s statement that among the numerous trading partners requesting a reprieve from the tariffs, Bessent stated that he anticipated Japan to be preferred.
In a recent interview, he highlighted the U.S.’s strong economic ties with various key allies but pointed to Japan’s swift and proactive engagement as a reason it might be prioritized.
Meanwhile, as the U.S. escalates its trade war with China, President Donald Trump signaled a positive outlook on reaching a trade agreement with South Korea, suggesting that Washington is placing strategic importance on its Asian allies.
Ishiba presses Trump to rethink tariffs as U.S.–Japan trade tensions rise
On April 7, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he called U.S. President Donald Trump, told him that his tariff policies were very disappointing, and asked him to reconsider.
Following the call with Trump, Ishiba informed reporters:
“I’ve told the President that Japan has been the biggest investor in the United States for five straight years, and the tariff policies could hurt Japanese companies’ investment capabilities.”
Additionally, Ishiba stated that they had agreed to appoint ministers to lead the talks and to continue constructive dialogue on the matter during the 25-minute call.
In the meantime, in a post on his social media accounts, Trump mentioned the call with Ishiba, highlighting the “tough but fair” tariff parameters being set.
Moreover, he highlighted several accusations toward Japan, including that Japan had been inconsiderate to the United States’ terms of trade, taking millions of their vehicles but not theirs, and that the same applied to agriculture, among many other “things.”
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