Washington (TDI): United States President Donald Trump has made a threat that Japan should anticipate tariffs of up to 35% on its exports, mostly cars, if a deal on bilateral trade is not signed before the deadline of July 9.
The threat is made amid mounting pressure on farm trade and the deadlock in negotiations, with Trump asserting that Japan has failed to provide fair access to US products, such as American-produced rice.
With the 90-day suspension of Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs” about to expire, Japan is still on a list of several nations engaged in talks to escape substantial import duties.
In a campaign rally and on social media afterward, Trump accused Japan of refusing to open its market to U.S. rice, even though it has a reported shortage domestically.
President Donald Trump criticized certain countries for being, in his words, “so spoiled” that they won’t even accept US rice, despite facing severe rice shortages. “They’re going through a crisis, and still won’t take our rice. So basically, all they’re going to get from us is a letter,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
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In a separate interview on Fox News, Trump hinted that Japan might soon receive formal notice of upcoming tariff hikes. “Dear Mr. Japan, here’s the deal—you’re looking at a 25% tariff on your cars,” he said, referencing a proposed letter from his administration.
The Japanese government has been guarded in its response. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed the talks were ongoing while reiterating Japan’s stance.
“We never disclose the content of our negotiations with the US, but Japan will continue to conduct honest and straightforward negotiations towards a mutually beneficial agreement,” Hayashi told a news conference.
Although Japan currently faces a 10% tariff on most of its exports under the temporary relief measure, it had gone up to 24% at one point, with steel and aluminum imposed even tougher duties.
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Tokyo has not commented directly on Trump’s rice-focused complaints, with the country having imported $298 million of US rice last year.
With the July 9 deadline fast approaching and no agreement in sight, economic observers warn that a sharp escalation in tariffs could disrupt global trade flows and impact both economies.
The future of the US-Japan trade talks hangs in the balance as diplomatic channels are kept open and both administrations face pressure to avoid reverting to a tariff war.
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