Key Facts
• June 29, 2025: Trump criticized Japan’s auto trade on FOX News.
• He reiterated dissatisfaction, calling the trade “unfair” and suggested a 25% tariff.
• Japan’s Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa met U.S. Commerce Secretary for 1 hour.
• Akazawa extended his stay to meet Treasury Secretary but left without success.
• Trump claimed Japan imports U.S. oil but restricts U.S. car imports.
• He hinted at sending a letter imposing a 25% tariff on Japanese cars.
• U.S. imports large volumes of Japanese cars, per Trump’s repeated claims.
Summary
On June 29, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Japan’s auto trade during a FOX News interview, labeling it “unfair.” He suggested imposing a 25% tariff on Japanese car imports, emphasizing the imbalance in trade where the U.S. imports significant volumes of Japanese cars while Japan limits U.S. car imports. Japan’s Economic Revitalization Minister Akazawa Ryosei, in Washington for the seventh round of trade negotiations, met U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo for an hour but failed to secure a meeting with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Trump also highlighted Japan’s reliance on U.S. oil imports, urging increased imports of other U.S. products. The ongoing tariff dispute underscores the challenges in U.S.-Japan trade negotiations.
