トランプ大統領だいとうりょう“日本にっぽんからの輸入ゆにゅう品ひん 関税かんぜい25％”書簡しょかんをSNSで表明ひょうめい

President Trump of the United States revealed on his social media on the 7th a letter addressed to Prime Minister Ishiba notifying him of new tariff rates.

A 25% tariff will be imposed on imports from Japan starting August 1.

On the 7th, just after noon Eastern Time in the U.S. just after 1 a.m. on the 8th Japan Time, U.S. President Trump revealed on his social media a letter addressed to Prime Minister Ishiba notifying him of new tariff rates.

In the letter, it states, We have discussed trade relations with Japan for many years, but have come to the conclusion that it is necessary to break away from the long-standing trade deficit caused by Japans tariffs and non-tariff barriers.

Our relationship, unfortunately, is far from being reciprocal.

On top of that, it states that a 25% tariff will be imposed on imports from Japan starting August 1.

Currently, a uniform tariff of 10% is imposed on imports from Japan, and even including the reciprocal tariffs, the total comes to 24%, with the measure temporarily suspended until July 9.

This presentation exceeds this standard.

President Trump signed an executive order on the 7th to postpone the deadline for the temporary suspension of mutual tariffs, originally set for the 9th, to August 1st.

According to the White House, the item-specific tariffs imposed on automobiles, steel, and aluminum under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act are separate from the tariffs this time, and they explained that there will be no additional tariffs imposed.

Furthermore, the letter warns Japan not to take countermeasures by stating, If Japan raises tariffs for any reason, the increase will be added on top of the 25% tariff.

On the other hand, it also states, If the U.S. opens its market and tariffs and non-tariff barriers are eliminated, there is a possibility that we may consider adjusting the contents of the letter, suggesting that depending on future negotiations, there is a possibility that the tariff measures may be reviewed.

The only countries raising tariff rates from April are Japan and Malaysia. On the 7th, President Trump announced the tariff rates to be imposed on 14 countries, including Japan, starting from August 1.

According to that, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, and Tunisia are all at 25%, while South Africa and Bosnia and Herzegovina are at 30%.

Also, Indonesia is at 32%, Bangladesh and Serbia are at 35%, Thailand and Cambodia are at 36%, and Laos and Myanmar are at 40%.

The Trump administration announced tariff rates such as reciprocal tariffs this April, targeting countries and regions with large trade deficits with the United States. However, out of the 14 countries, only Japan and Malaysia had their rates raised from the April level; South Korea, South Africa, Indonesia, and Thailand remained at the same level as in April, while the other countries saw their rates lowered.

Bessent, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, indicates that agreements with multiple countries are near U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent, regarding negotiations over the Trump administrations tariff measures, stated in an interview with the economic channel CNBC on the 7th, We will make some announcements within the next 48 hours, once again expressing the view that agreements with multiple countries are close.

Countries that failed to reach an agreement softened their negotiating stance after President Trump mentioned that tariff rates could return to the levels announced on April 2.

On top of that, on the night of the 6th, my mailbox was filled with new proposals and offers from many countries.

He stated, It will be a busy few days, and claimed that as the deadline for the temporary suspension of mutual tariffs approaches on the 9th, new proposals are being received from negotiating countries and regions, and negotiations are ongoing.

The Japanese government will hold a meeting of the Comprehensive Countermeasures Headquarters from a little after 9 a.m. on the 8th, with Prime Minister Ishiba also attending.

We are expected to confirm our policy to continue negotiations with the American side in order to reach an agreement that benefits both Japan and the United States.

Ishiba administration official: We consider this to be a de facto extension of the deadline, and will continue discussions. In an interview with NHK, a senior official of the Ishiba administration said, We take President Trumps letter as a de facto extension of the suspension period for mutual tariffs.

We believe there is room for negotiation, and we will continue discussions with the U.S. side with the aim of reaching an agreement on the entire package, including tariffs on automobiles and other items.