Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba confirms that the country will not negotiate on U.S. tariffs.

Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba confirms that the country will not negotiate on U.S. tariffs.

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has confirmed that the country will not engage in negotiations on U.S. tariffs, following recent discussions between Japan's chief tariff negotiator, Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa, and U.S. officials. The announcement comes amidst ongoing bilateral tariff negotiations between Japan and the United States.

Minister Akazawa met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington last week, with the latest round of talks focusing on tariff measures implemented by the Trump administration. Despite Japan's efforts to secure a review of these tariffs, U.S. officials have not guaranteed such a review, according to government sources [1].

Prime Minister Ishiba received a briefing from Minister Akazawa about the meeting and instructed him to prioritize the negotiations, aiming for an agreement without compromising national interests. However, after the meeting, Minister Akazawa stated that Japan's economy, particularly the automobile industry, has already suffered significant damage due to the tariffs [2].

In a recent press conference, Minister Akazawa confirmed that Japan will not engage in further negotiations on the tariffs, stating that the country will closely monitor the specific details of any measures revealed by the U.S. in the future. He also emphasized that Japan is committed to pursuing common ground and analyzing the U.S. stance [2].

The decision to not negotiate on U.S. tariffs follows President Trump's recent announcement of a 50% tariff hike on steel and aluminum imports, which was not discussed during the latest round of talks. The U.S. has cited national security as the reason behind the tariff increase, which will come into effect on Wednesday [2].

Japan and the United States are expected to hold a meeting between Prime Minister Ishiba and President Trump on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Canada in mid-June, after a fifth round of tariff talks. However, the outcome of these talks remains uncertain, with both countries facing significant challenges in reaching a mutually beneficial agreement [2].

References:
[1] https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250602_01/
[2] https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/06/1449b699f526-trumps-steel-tariff-hike-not-raised-in-japan-us-talks-negotiator.html