Japan in contact with U.S. over tariffs; says it will respond appropriately

Japan has no leverage, why? Because it's running a large ongoing trade surplus, and this little thing called Security with China, NK and Russia all right next door.

Japan don't bend over; trump need to learn a lesson in economy.

That ok, buy Russia fossil fuel seeing you have exemption from sanctions and the short fall can be taken up by Australia etc. Tell the USA Fascist to stick their crude.

Japan's collapsing, the only hope is just begging for tariff mercy, and don't think that's a proven negotiating tactic...or maybe they'll threaten to further expand the BOJ's already record setting balance sheet?!

Yup, Hayashi will say Japan always stands strong and will do what's best for Japan, then he'll turn around and further beg Trump to let Japan be an exception.

Don't appease, regain your sovereignty, don't be a pawn, long term, it will be good for the country.

Applying tariffs to imported products from Japan isn't going to have much effect on the trade balance. Over 70% of Japanese vehicles sold in the U.S. are made in the United States. And whatever tariffs Japan may slap on U.S. products won't either. Jeeps and Harley are going to cost more in Japan but they sell not because of price. Still, cars from EU may become more attrtarctive. The US has already lost it's beef exports to Japan due to the weak yen, and Australia has made huge advances.

What will have an effect on the trade balance is the increased sale of U.S. LNG to Japan. The U.S. needs more terminals and Japan may well be willing to invest (finance it).

I believe the US trade deficit in goods (big minus) and services (smaller plus) is about 1 trillion USD. This compares with global trade, which is 33 trillion.

If the US president is going to impose tariffs of random round numbers on a whim without consulting anyone, the logical thing would be to slowly shift trade away from the US. The US only buys stuff that is desirable and competitively priced. They are not buying Japanese stuff out of generosity. Other people will buy the same desirable and competitively priced goods. Trustworthy trade partners do not pull the rug or change the rules at short notice.

Japan situation is more serious due to the depressed yen vs the USD - may have to give America some mineral rights like Ukraine.

Fight back Japan..

Resist the orange clown..

As I predicted. trump is for trump.

What Old Man America says is probably right.

When it comes to steel tariffs, Japan's high-quality steel accounts for a very small share.

America should first eliminate its trade deficit with China.

Saying that the weak yen is serious and that Japan's economy will collapse is nothing more than the wishful thinking of people who know nothing about history or economics.

The yen started out at 360 yen. If the country with the most assets in the world is dangerous, then any country is dangerous.

Applying tariffs to imported products from Japan isn't going to have much effect on the trade balance. Over 70% of Japanese vehicles sold in the U.S. are made in the United States. 

The value of the cars made in the US by Japanese manufacturers are counted in the US GDP, not Japans and are US domestic products, not imports. Their value has never been part of the trade balance between the US and Japan. Some Toyota models have more domestic US content than the cars sold by any notionally "American" auto manufacturer.

I believe the US trade deficit in goods (big minus) and services (smaller plus) is about 1 trillion USD. This compares with global trade, which is 33 trillion.

Huh? No, not even close. For 2024 the US International Trade in Goods and Services was $266.5 Billion in exports, $364.9 Billion in imports yielding a $98.4 Billion trade deficit.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, February 5, 2025

What with the US Steel fiasco too, it looks like Ishiba’s tax-payer-funded trip to Washington was a complete joke. No doubt his approval ratings will go back down

Huh? No, not even close. For 2024 the US International Trade in Goods and Services was $266.5 Billion in exports, $364.9 Billion in imports yielding a $98.4 Billion trade deficit.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, February 5, 2025

Those are the figures only for December 2024. The annual trade deficit in 2024 was $918.4 Billion.

https://www.bea.gov/news/2025/us-international-trade-goods-and-services-december-and-annual-2024

For a trained economist getting that wrong is beyond belief.

I would like to think Japan is going to protect their interests with a strong response if necessary, but probably the politicians are already deciding how to take whatever punishment is dealt with tariffs.