U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Japan, threatening to impose tariffs of up to 35% on Japanese imports if the two nations fail to reach a trade agreement before a looming July 9 deadline.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump expressed skepticism about the prospects of a deal, saying, “I’m not sure we’re going to make a deal. I doubt it.” The threat comes as part of Trump’s broader “Liberation Day” trade strategy, announced in April, which initially slapped 24% tariffs on Japanese goods, later reduced to 10% for a 90-day negotiation window.
That grace period is now expiring, and Trump has made it clear he does not intend to extend the deadline. Japan, meanwhile, has responded cautiously. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kazuhiko Aoki declined to comment directly on the president’s remarks but confirmed the government is monitoring the situation.
Currently, most Japanese exports to the U.S. face a 10% levy, while cars and auto parts attract a 25% tariff. Japanese steel and aluminum exports face duties of 50%.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi has pushed back against making agricultural concessions, particularly concerning U.S. rice exports. Trump criticized Japan’s rice import policies, claiming on his Truth Social platform: “They won’t take our RICE, and yet they have a massive rice shortage.”
Trump initially vowed to sign 90 trade deals during the tariff pause. However, only the UK has finalized an agreement so far.
The escalating rhetoric raises fears of a renewed trade conflict, particularly for key Japanese sectors like automotive and agriculture, as the July 9 deadline fast approaches.
