Tokyo: Japan will continue to urge US President Donald Trump to review his tariff measures in hopes of winning a reprieve following the president’s abrupt decision to put a hold on some of the reciprocal tariffs, according to Ryosei Akazawa, the nation’s top trade representative.
“There is no change in Japan’s policy,” Economic Revitalisation Minister Akazawa said yesterday. “We will pursue Japan’s national interests to the maximum extent without panicking or making a fuss.”
The pause removes an across-the-board 24% levy on goods imported to the United States from Japan for now, while leaving a baseline 10% duty in place.
The temporary retreat came just hours after Trump’s introduction of reciprocal levies spooked investors, triggering market ructions, and prompted government officials around the world to convene meetings aimed at calming nerves.
Tokyo is expected to be among nations taking priority in trade negotiations with Washington.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he would be speaking to officials from Japan, Vietnam, India and South Korea in the coming days.
Japan still faces a 25% tariff on cars, auto parts, steel and aluminium, while other goods remain subject to the 10% flat tax rate applied to all nations.
Japan sees the pause on some of the reciprocal tariffs as a positive development while it will keep calling for a review of the tariffs still in place, said Akazawa, who was selected this week to lead trade negotiations with the United States. — Bloomberg
