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Japan moves to front of queue for tariff talks with US

Optimism in Tokyo’s markets suggests hopes are high for a breakthrough, despite Donald Trump’s rhetoric about Japan treating the US poorly

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US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba arrive for a joint press conference in the White House in February. Photo: AFP
Bloomberg
Japan appears set to get priority in US tariff talks, putting Tokyo at the head of a long queue of countries seeking to roll back US President Donald Trump’s duties, which are scheduled to kick in on Wednesday.
Trump said he had spoken to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Monday and that “tough but fair parameters are being set” for a negotiation over US reciprocal tariffs.

“He is sending a top team to negotiate! They have treated the US very poorly on Trade. They don’t take our cars, but we take MILLIONS of theirs. Likewise Agriculture, and many other ‘things.’ It all has to change,” Trump posted on social media.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who along with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will lead the American side of the negotiations, said: “I would expect that Japan is going to get priority” among trading partners for coming forward very quickly.

The push to hold bilateral trade talks comes as Ishiba convened a full-cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning to discuss the tariffs. Later, his administration selected Economic Revitalisation Minister Ryosei Akazawa to lead Japan’s delegation in the negotiations.

Newly manufactured Subaru cars await export at a port in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, last month. Photo: Reuters
Newly manufactured Subaru cars await export at a port in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, last month. Photo: Reuters

Ahead of the meeting, Ishiba reiterated that the US tariffs were regrettable and voiced concerns over the impact they would have on Japan’s huge auto industry.

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