U.S.-Japan Tariff negotiations, Early resolution unlikely…Caution over Trump's link to defense spending

On The 16th (Local Time), Donald Trump, President Of The United States, And Ryosei Akazawa, Japanese Minister Of Economic Revitalization, Met In The White House Office (Source: Truthsocial)

The First Tariff Negotiations Between The United States And Japan Were Conducted, But Prospects That An Early Resolution Might Not Be Easy Are Being Raised Mainly By The Japanese Local Media. Although This Negotiation Is Noteworthy Because It Could Affect Future Trade Discussions Between South Korea And The U.S., The Strategic Approach The Japanese Government Had Hoped For Is At Risk From The Start.

The Yomiuri Shimbun Reported On The 16th (Local Time) About The Results Of The U.S.-Japan Tariff Negotiations Held In Washington DC, Stating, "It Will Be Difficult To Reach A Substantial Agreement Within The 90-day Mutual Tariff Deferral Period." The Local Media Were Particularly Interested In The Fact That Although Japanese Chief Negotiator Ryosei Akazawa Met With President Trump For 50 Minutes In The White House, And Held 75 Minutes Talks With U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besenth, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, And USTR Representative Jamison Greer, No Specific Requests Were Presented By The U.S.

The Japanese Government Had Planned To Understand The U.S. Demands Through These Negotiations And Then Prepare A Response Package Accordingly, But As The First Round Was Completed Without Substantial Discussions, A General Revision Of The Strategy Has Become Inevitable. The Sankei Shimbun Also Pointed Out That "The Domestic Consultations Are Being Delayed, And The Quick Agreement That Both Countries Expected Is Not Easy."

One Of The Primary Issues In The Negotiations Is Whether To Impose A 25% Tariff On Japanese Automobiles. The Japanese Government Sets This Problem As A Top Priority, And Is Considering The Negotiation Card Of Recognizing U.S. Safety Standards Within Japan. However, The U.S. Is Increasing The Weight Of The Discussion By Mixing Various Issues Such As The Gap In Auto Exports And Imports, Rice Import Regulations, Defense Cost-sharing, And Participation In The Alaska LNG Project.

Particularly Surprising In This Negotiation Is The Direct Intervention By President Trump. Before The Ministerial Talks Between The Two Countries Began, Trump Mentioned On His Social Media "Truthsocial" That "Japan Is Coming To Discuss Tariffs, Military Support Costs, And Trade Fairness," Revealing An Intention To Link Tariff Negotiations With Defense Cost-sharing Negotiations.

In Response To Such Remarks, The Japanese Government Reacted Promptly. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Convened An Emergency Meeting With Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi And Others To Discuss A Response Strategy, And Directed Ryosei Akazawa To Maintain The Stance That The Defense Cost Issue Is Not Included In The Negotiation Authority. The Absence Of A Defense Official In This U.S. Visit Is Also Interpreted As Reflecting The Japanese Government's Cautiousness.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun Analyzed, "Japan Sat At The Negotiation Table First Among The Major Countries, But An Early Agreement Is Not Easy," And Suggested That The Timing Of The 90-day Deferral Ending Coincides With The House Of Councillors Election, Making Concessions In The Agricultural Sector Difficult, Acting As A Stumbling Block In The Negotiations.

Japanese Media Urged The Government For A More Cautious Approach Through Editorials. Nikkei Emphasized, "The Trump-style Tariffs Have Weak Justification, And Should Respond Firmly To Unreasonable Demands," And The Asahi Shimbun Pointed Out, "The Significance Of This Negotiation Should Be Recognized In That It Can Become A Standard For The International Community, Not Just For Japan's Interests."

The First Negotiation, Contrary To Expectations, Proceeded Without Clearly Defined Issues, Foreseeing Changes In The Japanese Government's Response Policy And Strategy Development. It Seems That The Trade Conflict Between The U.S. And Japan, Entangled With Security Issues As Well As Tariffs, Is Entering A Stage That Will Not Be Easily Resolved In The Short Term.