US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs as high as 35% on Japanese imports if a trade agreement is not reached before a 9 July deadline, raising fears of a deepening trade rift between Washington and Tokyo.
Speaking aboard Air Force One on Tuesday, Trump expressed scepticism about the prospects of a deal with Japan, saying: “We’ve dealt with Japan. I’m not sure we’re going to make a deal. I doubt it.”
The potential hike would significantly surpass the 24% tariff Japan faced during Trump’s self-declared “Liberation Day” on 2 April, when he unveiled sweeping import duties targeting multiple countries. Following international backlash, tariffs on most US trading partners, including Japan, were scaled back to 10% for a 90-day negotiation window, which expires next week.
“I’m not planning to extend the deadline,” Trump said, signalling that the temporary reprieve may come to an abrupt end.
Under the current regime, most Japanese exports to the US face a 10% levy. Japanese vehicles and parts are already subject to a 25% tariff, while steel and aluminium imports attract a steep 50% duty.
Despite mounting pressure, Tokyo has held firm. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi on Tuesday ruled out concessions that could undermine domestic agriculture. “We will not make concessions that could hurt our farmers,” he said.
Trump has taken particular aim at Japan’s rice import policies, accusing the country of unfair trade practices. “To show people how spoiled countries have become with respect to the United States of America—and I have great respect for Japan—they won’t take our RICE, and yet they have a massive rice shortage,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Asked to respond to Trump’s latest tariff threats, Japan declined to engage directly. “We are aware of what President Trump said, but we don’t comment on every remark made by US government officials,” Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kazuhiko Aoki told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday.
Trump had initially pledged to sign 90 trade agreements during the three-month tariff pause. However, only the United Kingdom has successfully concluded a deal with Washington so far.
Boluwatife Enome
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