Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has labeled U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a new 25% tariff on Japanese imports as “truly regrettable.” Speaking at a tariff task force meeting on Tuesday, Ishiba pledged that Japan would stand firm in defending its national interests in upcoming trade negotiations.
“We will continue to engage in negotiations with the United States to explore the possibility of reaching a mutually beneficial deal while protecting our national interests,” Ishiba told officials at the meeting.
The announcement of the tariffs has raised concerns in Japan, particularly given the nation’s export-oriented economy. Ishiba acknowledged the lack of progress in reaching a trade deal but attributed it to the government’s commitment to avoiding “hasty compromises” while demanding necessary protections.
President Trump announced on Monday that the United States would implement a 25% tariff on imports from Japan starting August 1. He warned that any retaliatory increases to tariffs on U.S. goods would be met with equivalent measures from his administration.
The new levy slightly surpasses the 24% “reciprocal” tariff announced on April 2 and will be imposed separately from existing sectoral tariffs, which include a 25% duty on vehicles and auto parts and 50% duties on steel and aluminum. Trump made the announcement in a letter to Ishiba shared on social media.
On the same day, Trump revealed new tariff rates for 13 other countries, including 25% for the Republic of Korea, 30% for South Africa, 35% for Serbia and Bangladesh, 36% for Thailand and Cambodia, and 40% for Myanmar and Laos.
As trade tensions escalate, global markets are watching closely to see how these developments will impact international relations and economic stability.
