Japan’s top trade negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, will visit Washington this week to urge the Trump Administration to lower the tariffs agreed upon in July.
Akazawa’s visit will focus on discussions about customs duties on cars and auto parts. Japan is urging the U.S. to cut its tariffs on cars and car parts to 15% and to remove the stacking of previous duties on the 15% tariffs.
Although an agreement was reached by both sides in July, the U.S. has not yet fulfilled its commitments.
During a press conference in Tokyo today, Akazawa stated, “The revision of reciprocal tariffs and the cut of auto tariffs are expected to take place simultaneously. We urge them to be realized as soon as possible, even a day sooner, or even a moment sooner.”
To achieve these goals, U.S. President Donald Trump must issue an executive order concerning the car tariffs and modify his previous order on the broader levies.
If the issue of stacking duties is resolved, Japan’s 15% reciprocal tariff rate would include existing most-favored-nation levies, similar to how U.S. tariffs on the European Union operate. The U.S. would also refund any tariffs paid in excess.
Akazawa’s trip, starting Thursday, will be the tenth since the bilateral trade talks began this year.
By CEO NA Editorial Staff
