Japan PM Ishiba Refuses to Back Down in Tariff Talks With Trump Ahead of Deadline
Tokyo, Japan – Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba declared on Sunday that Japan will not yield easily in ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, as President Donald Trump continues to threaten steep tariffs of up to 35% on Japanese imports.
Speaking on a national television talk show, Ishiba addressed the growing Japan-US trade tensions, stating firmly, “We will not easily compromise. That’s why it is taking time and why it is tough.”
Japan is under pressure to finalize a deal with Washington before Wednesday, July 9, when a pause on Trump’s proposed elevated tariffs expires. Without an agreement, Japan faces new import duties that could significantly impact sectors such as automobiles and agriculture.
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Earlier this year, President Trump imposed a blanket 10% tariff on imports from most global trading partners. However, he held off on harsher measures for select nations, including Japan, to give room for negotiations. That temporary reprieve is now set to end, triggering new tariffs between 30% and 35% if a bilateral deal is not reached.
Trump has repeatedly criticized what he calls an “unfair” trade relationship with Japan, demanding greater access for US-made automobiles and rice in Japanese markets. He also mentioned plans to send a formal letter to Tokyo requesting substantial tariff payments.
But PM Ishiba rebuffed the pressure, highlighting Japan’s critical role in the US economy. “We are allies, but we have to say what we have to say. We are the world’s largest investor nation and the largest job creator in the US. We are different,” he asserted.
Japan’s trade envoy Ryosei Akazawa held back-to-back calls last week with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, including discussions on Thursday and Saturday, as both sides race against time to avoid a full-blown US-Japan trade dispute.
On a separate television appearance the same day, Ishiba emphasized that Japan is prepared for all outcomes. When asked how he would respond to Trump’s anticipated letter, he said, “We are preparing to deal with all kinds of situations.”
Ishiba also challenged the Trump administration’s narrative, calling for clarity on the claims of unfairness. “What is unfair? How is it unfair? We need to examine each one,” he said, hinting that Japan may push back strongly on any vague or one-sided demands.
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As the July 9 tariff deadline looms, all eyes are on Tokyo and Washington to see whether diplomacy will prevail or whether another escalation in global trade tensions is on the horizon.
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