TOKYO — On Tuesday, Japan’s Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, announced his government’s final efforts to persuade U.S. President Donald Trump to exempt Japan from impending increased auto tariffs. These tariffs are scheduled to be implemented starting Wednesday.
Ishiba has expressed his willingness to travel to Washington to engage in direct negotiations with President Trump. The U.S. is set to initiate a 25% tariff on auto imports on Thursday, with the full tariffs on completely imported cars beginning at midnight, U.S. time. These tariffs are also expected to soon extend to include relevant auto parts.
Despite being the most prominent U.S. ally in Asia, Japan has yet to gain an exemption from the tariff list. In response, Japan has intensified its collaborative efforts with other affected nations. Japanese Trade Minister Yoji Muto recently traveled to Seoul to convene with South Korean and Chinese counterparts. They collectively agreed to promote free and fair trade, highlighting concerns that Trump’s trade strategies may be increasing protectionist practices.
The prospect of increased tariffs is a significant concern for Japan and its major automotive manufacturers such as Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. Exports to the United States significantly bolster Japan’s economy. A newly released Bank of Japan survey indicates that business sentiment among large manufacturers has deteriorated in the past quarter, marking the first decline in a year.
Ishiba remarked, “I don’t mind going to Washington, if necessary,” underscoring his readiness to personally intervene if required. He noted that officials from all relevant ministries, including foreign, trade, and finance, are diligently engaged in negotiations with U.S. counterparts to address the matter. Ishiba committed that should it be deemed necessary for him to intervene directly; he will do so without hesitation.
Should the tariffs be enforced, Ishiba assured that the government will work tirelessly to mitigate any adverse effects on Japanese industries and employment. In the immediate term, the government plans to establish 1,000 consultation centers nationwide to address the concerns of small and medium-sized auto parts manufacturers and other producers likely to be impacted by the tariff hike.
In instances where businesses suffer actual damages, Ishiba stated that the government will provide maximum support to financially strained business owners to alleviate their challenges.