President Donald Trump, center, greets Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, right, at the White House, Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in Washington. Image: AP Photo/Evan Vucci.
(The Post News) – On Friday, Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba welcomed President Donald Trump’s decision to cut tariffs on vehicles, auto parts, and key goods by 10%. The tariff reduction eases pressure on Ishiba, who has faced calls to resign from right-wing rivals within his party following the July election loss.
Japan’s prime minister praised the “excellent” negotiation skills, saying that these tariff discussions were the government’s top priority. He added that the results reflect “our full effort to achieve an agreement in the best possible way as quickly as possible.”
The 10% reduction meant that the 25% tariffs would now be 15% in the deal that was finalized in July. Japan’s top tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, also confirmed that they would be making a $550 billion investment into U.S. projects. This was confirmed in a signed joint statement with his U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Japan-U.S. Tariff Implementation and Relations
In early July, Japan was accidentally listed among countries that would face 25% tariffs, raising concerns with the prime minister, who thought it was a setback in their negotiations. Upon raising concerns with the Trump administration, Washington clarified that it was a mistake and that the preliminary error would not affect the agreement.
Under the new 10% tariff reduction, Akazawa clarified that most goods will now face the same 15% rate without “stacking,” while aircraft and aircraft parts are excluded from reciprocal tariffs. He anticipates the order to be implemented within two weeks. Ishiba has invited U.S. President Donald Trump to visit the country, aiming to forge “a golden era of Japan-U.S. relations.”
Please share your thoughts, contact Lukhona via email: journalist-lukhona@thepostnews.net
About the Author
