JAPAN on Tuesday aired its regret over US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 25 per cent tariff on the longtime Asian ally, but its chief negotiator pledged to ramp up bilateral negotiations to reach a mutually beneficial “package” deal by the extended deadline of 1 August.
After Trump’s intention was conveyed to Japan in a letter, Japan’s top negotiator Ryosei Akazawa spoke by phone with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and expressed his country’s disappointment. The two negotiators had candid and in-depth discussions for over 40 minutes, Akazawa said.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who described the latest US move as “truly regrettable”, said Japan will not waiver in its defence of national interests in future rounds of talks, pledging to do all it can to mitigate the impact of the imminent tariff hike on the export-oriented Japanese economy.
“We will continue to engage in negotiations with the United States to explore the possibility of reaching a mutually beneficial deal while protecting our national interests,” Ishiba told a government task force on US tariffs.
Both Ishiba and his close aide Akazawa maintained that the recent rounds of negotiations had prevented an even higher tariff, as Trump previously hinted at rates of 30 per cent or 35 per cent.
The US president’s move came shortly before a three-month pause on part of the “reciprocal tariff” was due to end on Wednesday.
The newly set rate of 25 per cent, slightly higher than 24 per cent initially announced for Japan, is set to take effect on 1 August, with Trump leaving the door open for a revision through negotiations.
Kyodo
#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar