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 said Saturday as he returned to Japan following the second round of ministerial-level talks in Washington.
“We have pressed the United States to reconsider the series of tariffs and we cannot reach an agreement if that is not properly addressed in a package,” Akazawa, who is Japan’s economic revitalization minister, told reporters.
Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s economic revitalization minister, speaks to reporters in Tokyo on May 3, 2025. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Japanese government sources have said the United States has been reluctant to grant exemptions or any other special treatment to Japan on tariff measures, indicating that a new 25 percent duties imposed on automobiles — a particular concern for the Asian nation that is a major car exporter to the United States — may not be negotiable.
In another blow, a 25 percent tariff on auto parts also took effect on Saturday, prompting Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to express his strong disappointment.
“Japan will continue to ask for U.S. tariff measures to be reconsidered,” Ishiba told reporters.
He also emphasized that Japan is negotiating with the United States on “all” U.S. tariffs, including those on auto, steel and aluminum.
After returning to the White House in January, Trump has imposed 25 percent levies on all imported steel and aluminum and 25 percent tariffs on automobiles produced outside the United States.
Trump 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.
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AloJapan.com