Japan seeks swift cut to US auto tariffs following trade deal

ANKARA

Japan’s top tariff negotiator said Tuesday that he is heading to the US later in the day to push for a swift reduction in auto tariffs in line with a recent bilateral trade deal, according to media reports.

Ryosei Akazawa, who also serves as minister in charge of economic revitalization, told a Diet committee that the purpose of his US visit is to confirm that there are no discrepancies in the agreed tariff terms, Kyodo News Agency reported.

The Trump administration recently reduced the reciprocal tariff on Japanese goods to 15%, but it remains unclear when the new rate will be implemented.

Under the trade deal, Japan has pledged to boost investment in the US as part of a $550 billion initiative, while the US will also reduce its tariff on imported Japanese cars to 15% from the current 27.5%.

With autos a key pillar of Japan’s economy, prolonged higher tariffs could hurt major carmakers like Toyota and Honda, which rely heavily on the American market.