Japan’s top tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, held detailed phone discussions with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday and Saturday in a bid to ease trade tensions. The talks come just days before a 24% reciprocal tariff on Japanese imports is set to expire on July 9.
The Japanese government emphasized its commitment to continue engaging with Washington, aiming to prevent a steep increase in tariffs. U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted at pushing the rate to 30% or even 35%, far above the current level. However, the White House has not provided additional details and referred only to Trump’s public remarks.
Trump has recently criticized Japan for “unfair” auto trade and accused Tokyo of avoiding U.S. rice imports. However, Japan has been importing large quantities of American rice due to rising domestic prices, contradicting Trump’s claims. Whether this will ease tensions remains uncertain.
Despite nearly three months of talks, Tokyo has struggled to secure a trade deal that protects its key sectors. Japanese automakers, in particular, face major pressure from a looming 25% industry-specific tariff. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to defend Japan’s economic interests amid the deadlock.
On Friday, Trump said he had signed letters to 12 countries about tariffs, though he did not name them. He also expressed doubts about reaching a deal with Japan, casting uncertainty over future negotiations. These remarks have added urgency to Japan’s diplomatic efforts.
Japan remains the largest foreign investor in the U.S., and officials in Tokyo hope that fact will influence Washington’s decisions. With the July 9 deadline nearing, both sides are under pressure to prevent a trade escalation that could impact key industries and economic ties.