Japan has no intention of striking a trade deal with the U.S. administration of President Donald Trump unless all of its new tariffs are reviewed, top negotiator Ryosei Akazawa indicated Saturday as he returned to Japan following the second round of ministerial-level tariff talks in Washington.
"We have pressed the United States to reconsider all of the series of tariff measures and we cannot reach an agreement if that is not properly addressed in a package," Akazawa told reporters after meeting Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to discuss the outcome of the negotiations.
The remarks underscore that the two countries are at odds over what tariffs are negotiable, with the U.S. side showing its unwillingness to back off from duties on imports of automobiles and steel and aluminum, while the Japanese side is hoping for the elimination of such levies.
The Japanese government has been particularly concerned about the new 25 percent duties targeting the auto industry, which accounted for nearly 30 percent of total exports to the United States by value last year.
Trump, who believes that the United States has been "ripped off" by its trading partners and is critical of trade deficits, has imposed 25 percent levies on all imported steel and aluminum and 25 percent tariffs on automobiles produced outside the United States.
He has also announced so-called reciprocal tariffs, which amount to 24 percent for Japan including a baseline tariff of 10 percent. The extra portion has currently been put on hold as negotiations continue.
The Trump administration is believed to be focused on negotiating with Japan the halted portion of the reciprocal tariff rate.
In another blow, a 25 percent tariff on certain auto parts took effect on Saturday, to which Ishiba expressed his strong disappointment.
"Japan will continue to ask for U.S. tariff measures to be reconsidered," Ishiba told reporters after meeting Akazawa, also Japan's economic revitalization minister, admitting that Japan and the United States have not yet "reached common ground."
He also emphasized that Japan is negotiating with the United States on "all" U.S. tariffs, including those on auto, steel and aluminum.
© KYODO
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8T
The days of Japan giving the USA the finger by buying the Empire State Building in the 1980s are long gone. Japan is so lucky to trade with the US, as the Koreans are making phenomenal cars now at a far better price point. Good luck.
Tamarama
Soooo, not close to 'cutting a deal' at all, as per the Trump narrative.
He's lying AND discovering out that countries aren't just going to cave in to bullying and coercion.
Japan needs to hold it's ground.
sakurasuki
At least no pledge being made by JGovt official this time.
JeffLee
Wow, what a beefy response from Japan. A "review"!! They can "review" the tariffs all they want. Isn't that what the planned negotiations will be doing anyway? How about calling for scrapping the new and additional tariffs? Pathetic.
travelbangaijin
The upvotes/downvotes don't reflect reality - America could not import into Japan but Japan can keep their yen artificially low to export. The tariffs ruined that plan.
Despite the gaslighting, tariffs will not hurt the USA, it will cause financial damage to Japan for having a poor-planned trade strategy
quercetum
It does not involve skills of negotiations. It’s how you see your place. Trump thinks Japan is a subordinate and has made enough money. Akazawa sees Japan as a subordinate by asking for a review.
How you see your place will determine the result.
dbsaiya
"Japan will continue to ask for U.S. tariff measures to be reconsidered..." Doesn't sound very bold to me. How about demand to be abolished and start serious trade talks from a clean slate based on sound formulas that economists can agree upon instead of something pulled out of turmp's 6.
geronimo2006
Not having agreed to what is and isn't negotiable, which is usually one of the first stages of negotiations, means they aren't close to coming to an agreement. I would have thought those terms of reference had already been agreed. Japan is obviously putting it's foot down here with such a public statement. Clearly they are not willing to negotiate unless 25 percent duties on autos are on the table. Have they been emboldened by China and others? They will have backchanneles of communication going on and have some idea how negotiations with other countries are going. This is one reason why I thought it was rather foolish of Trump to try and negotiate new agreements with everyone at the same time as they can coordinate their response. Perhaps Japan also feel Trump is in a weak position due to his falling popularity and failure to reach any agreements, so they can push the limits to minimize concessions and reduce US tariffs.
Meiyouwenti
Hang tough, Japan. Trump is desperate and irritated. The tariffs are hurting a vast number of US citizens who make a living by selling imported products.
Tokyo Guy
(Adopts tough-guy Republican voice) No, no, the Japanese don't understand. The only way to play ball here is to be on your knees and hope that the Supreme Leader and Potential Next Pope takes mercy on you and agrees to a tiny little compromise. You don't have the cards, and why aren't you wearing a kimono? Why don't you say arigatou?
P_C
Japan holds $USD 1.1 trillion in US Treasuries. Please continue to remind tDump how this allows the USA to run huge deficits. tDump always drones on about foreign investment in "America". This exactly the same thing in a different form.
Tokyo Guy
The Japanese press should announce that they have, with respect to the USA, 取引のコンセプト
quercetum
I like how China doesn’t even bother with Trump. Japan is wasting its time with Trump.
Yrral
PC selling security at a loss, nobody gonna buy old Securities,when you can get some new one for a better price Google Selling Treasury Securities For A Loss
kohakuebisu
It came up on my Youtube but Fox News reckons the selloff that spooked the bond market and got Trump to do the 90-day pause was Japan. The tone of the report was that Fox News clearly wanted it to be China, not Japan. The report said the selloff forced Trump hand because the US cannot cope with higher 10 year rates.
This is Fox News, so they claimed the whole thing was still a "win" for Trump.
I seriously doubt the LDP are calling any shots on this, the Japanese bureaucracy will be. They will know what they are doing and I wouldn't worry about it.
funkymofo
China can and will, if necessary, outwait trump. They’ve already stated that, and trump’s hilarious lies about phone calls that didn’t happen etc. show he’s desperately trying to spin the situation to look like he’s in charge.
kurisupisu
The government sends Mr Azakawa along with a clutch of civil servants to try to negotiate with the only true superpower in the world.
Japan has no chance.
The US will soon be in a period of incredible economic expansion and Japan’s government and its hardball approach will become insignificant.
Meanwhile, Japanese companies will be piling into the U.S. to set up manufacturing plants.
The prideful concerned Japanese elite will be soon scratching their heads having taken early retirement and might notice their retirement packages a tad less sparkly than previous generations before.
However , the ordinary working Japanese people are the real losers as they will be much poorer…
grc
I’ll say it until Trump understands - hang tough, Japan.
Yrral
Japanese has finally figured out, what we American know,they are dealing with a bunch of clowns
HopeSpringsEternal
Biggest problem for Japan is it is collapsing in terms of global GDP relevance, along with competitive technology. Hardly in a position to dictate terms, as the domestic market here has less to offer everyday
Garthgoyle
I think it's time to forget about the USA.
The fact they imposed an additional 25% tariff on parts yesterday at 13:00 Japan time, shows they're not interested in reaching a mutual benefit deal.
Just like the new Canadian PM said, sadly, we have to accept the fact USA is not a ally anymore.
Garthgoyle
Canon, Leica and Fujifilm recently announced a price increase on their cameras in US, with some Leica cameras going to by $1,000 in US.
Microsoft just announced their new Xbox price hikes, with their main console going up by $130, along with everything else save their headsets.
And cars, given non are Made in USA... Can't wait to see what prices will be, along with all the other industries
Good luck Americans. You're about to see what inflation really is. But hey! At least manufacturing is coming back to the land and across all the different industries...
HopeSpringsEternal
Trump putting the US on a path to make US economy far more resilient and less reliant upon China for manufacturing and supply chains. In the 21st Century, as innovation depends upon manufacturing more than ever!
Simon Foston
kurisupisuToday 09:52 am JST
Sounds like someone's been reading too many White House press briefings or of Trump's Truth Social comments.
HopeSpringsEternal
Keep in mind, US Capital Investment increased 22% annual growth rate in US in Q1, that's historically off the charts and means MANY from across entire world and within US are betting on US now for economic growth.
Japan needs to start placing more bets on the US growth with $reshoring there, as DJ Trump's putting in place the economic policies to fuel the coming Golden Age of jobs, innovation, productivity and wealth creation!
Nice if someone in Japan, could 'fuel' such optimism to invest in Japan, have to wait for disruptor like DJ Trump!
wtfjapan
Japan is so lucky to trade with the US, as the Koreans are making phenomenal cars now at a far better price point. Good luck.
ah McFly, Korea is also suffering the exact same tariffs on their cars, If Korean cars are so good, why do Japanese brands continue to out sell them in the US, best selling models in the US 2024 , 5 of the top 10 were Japanese, Korean cars arent even in the top 10
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/g60385784/bestselling-cars-2024/
Abe234
I wonder ???? Maybe globally if we all dumped some US treasuries. He might understand we actually fund all their debt. And Japan has a ton of factories in the U.S., and yet AMERICA, refused to build any factories over here. just remember guys don’t buy American weapons systems. It feeds their industries, keep them on a job, feeds their shareholders, give taxes to the fed, and and ultimately locks us into their geopolitical standpoint, all the while locking you in for decades of upgrades, repairs, and support systems.
elephant200
Japan can say NO to America and Donald Trump's ridiculous demands ? Incredible , what takes them with such a courage ?
quercetum
The Canadians ought to learn from the Chinese abd tgat is not to take Trump seriously.
Im surprised how serious Canadians I talk to in the building across from the Sogetsu Kaikan in Aoyama are taking this.
They make this “Never 51” paraphernalia, with a little red sugar maple leaf, to oppose being annexed by Trump and worry constantly he’ll get a third term.
The Chinese do not take T seriously and neither should anyone else. Canada is not going to gw a 51st state…give me a break.
Ah_so
Uncritically repeating Whitehouse talking points is essential to the MAGA cult, along with the surrender of critical thinking skills.
But otherwise intelligent people are rationalising Trump's bizarre behaviour
Jonathan Prin
The loss of yen value ongoing showing Japan cannot win.
What did Japan expect when indeed there are not enough US meat, no vegetables and fruits, etc. on the shelves (car is another issue but a US made one indeed) ?
HopeSpringsEternal
Every day foreigners own LESS as % of US Treasury debt and FRB's been a huge and ongoing seller of Treasuries to improve its balance sheet. FRB can step in anytime.
US fiscal situation set to massively improve, as US Govt. spending due to DOGE digital audit advisory and US Govt. revenues will increase due to record numbers of resource royalty deals and new Trump tariff revenues.
US Govt. Balanced Budget likely by end of Trump 2.0
Japan has no leverage, only increasing reliance upon US markets as business in China is shrinking, growing China national security problem and a domestic market shrinking with de-population and aging etc.
OssanAmerica
Mitsubishi Real Estate bought, 51% of the Empire State building with 49% held by Amrican partners. Hardly giving anyone the finger. Maybe if you were around back then you'd know this.
Korean cars are cheaper than Japanese cars. Which is why they have sold well in the U.S. to the middle-lower class. But now that Trump's tariffs are in effect;
South Korea is subject to a 25% tariff on automobiles and auto parts.Additionally, a 25% reciprocal tariff was imposed on April 2, 2025.
Japan also faces a 25% tariff on automobiles and auto parts exported to the U.S., along with a 24% tariff on other goods.
However, 53% of Japanese cars sold in the U.S. are manufactured in the U.S. If we look at North America (Canada, US.Mexico) 74% of Japanese cars sold in North America are manufactured in North America. Of all the Korean cars sold in the U.S. 42% are manufactured in the U.S. In other words both Japan and South Korea, are as car makers pretty much in the same boat. The price differential will likely remain the same, although higher for both than before the tariffs.
Nibek32
Trump doesn’t have the cards.