THE head of Japan’s auto industry body on Wednesday called on the government’s top tariff negotiator to continue pushing the United States to remove its auto levies altogether, even after a rate reduction took effect the previous day. Masanori Katayama, chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, told Japanese negotiator Ryosei Akazawa that his and the government’s efforts to secure a lower tariff were appreciated, saying the agreement with US President Donald Trump averted a “devastating” blow to the Japanese auto industry. Trump raised the duty on automobiles imported to the United States to 27.5 per cent in April, with Tokyo and Washington negotiating in July to lower the rate to 15 per cent, starting Tuesday. The reduced duty remains far higher than the 2.5 per cent rate in place before Trump launched his global trade salvos. Noting that the impact of a 15 per cent tariff is “by no means small”, Katayama, chairman and CEO of Isuzu Motors Ltd, said the industry group hopes the government will continue negotiations with the Trump administration to restore an “open and free” trade environment.
“The Japanese auto industry and manufacturers will continue to make our utmost effort to boost competitiveness, protect employment and sustain a positive cycle of wage hikes,” Katayama said during the meeting, part of which was open to the media.
Kyodo
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