Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Saturday voiced "strong disappointment" as a new 25% U.S. tariff on auto parts took effect, targeting imports of engines, transmissions and key components.
Facing the second wave of duties — after cars themselves were slapped with the same rate in April — Ishiba urged the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to reconsider its measures.
"We have pressed the United States to reconsider the series of tariffs," Ishiba told reporters in Tokyo. "Without a proper review in a single package, we cannot reach an agreement."
Negotiations between the two allies resumed Thursday in Washington. According to Japanese government sources, the U.S. team focused on reciprocal tariffs but excluded duties on automobiles, steel and aluminum — a stance that Tokyo finds unacceptable.
Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's economy revitalization minister and top negotiator, echoed the prime minister's resolve: "Japan has no intention of finalizing a trade deal unless all new tariffs are reviewed."
As talks continue, both sides must weigh the impact of tit-for-tat duties on global supply chains, consumer prices and the future of transpacific trade.
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Japanese PM 'strongly disappointed' over U.S. auto parts tariff
cgtn.com
