A senior Japanese official sidestepped President Donald Trump‘s warning that higher tariffs were coming for Tokyo because he did not see a trade deal happening, despite ongoing talks between the two countries.
“We are aware of President Trump’s remarks, but we would like to refrain from commenting on every statement made by U.S. government officials,” Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kazuhiko Aoki said at a press briefing on Wednesday.
Why It Matters
Early on, Trump had expressed optimism about the potential for a quick trade deal with Japan, as he sought to renegotiate terms with dozens of countries during his reciprocal tariff pause.
So far, with the deadline approaching, only a full deal with the U.K. has been struck and a partial deal with China, though the Trump administration says many more are close.
What To Know
Japan is a key U.S. ally in the Pacific. But Trump has questioned the strategic relationship, arguing that Tokyo takes advantage of Washington on trade while Americans pay to defend Japan under a longstanding security agreement.
There is a goods trade deficit with Japan because the U.S. imports more than it exports, which Trump views as a sign of unfairness in the trading arrangements. In 2024, federal trade data shows the U.S. goods trade deficit with Japan was $68.5 billion.
Trump said talks were stuck due to a Japanese refusal to accept U.S. rice imports in exchange for selling millions of cars into the American market, which the president called an “easy” demand for Tokyo to accept, Reuters reported.
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He said Japan could face a tariff of 30 to 35 percent if no deal is made, higher than the 24 percent reciprocal tariff Trump had originally imposed, and then paused, in early April. The tariff pause ends on July 9, though Trump has touted flexibility on the deadline.
Aoki continued that he “would like to mention that Japan and the United States are continuing sincere and earnest consultations vigorously, and during Minister Akazawa’s recent visit to the United States, it was agreed to continue vigorous consultations between Japan and the United States.”
Ryosei Akazawa is Japan’s economic revitalization minister and has been leading the trade talks with the U.S. on behalf of Tokyo, regularly visiting Washington.
What People Are Saying
Japanese Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kazuhiko Aoki said: “Japan intends to continue sincere and earnest discussions vigorously toward realizing an agreement that benefits both Japan and the United States.”
President Donald Trump said: “We’ve dealt with Japan. I’m not sure we’re going to make a deal. I doubt it…So what I’m going to do is I’ll write them a letter saying we thank you very much, and we know you can’t do the kind of things that we need, and therefore you pay a 30 percent, 35 percent, or whatever the number is that we determine.”
What’s Next
Talks with Japan are ongoing ahead of Trump’s July 9 deadline. Japan says it is committed to sincere trade negotiations that lead to an agreement.
