Japan's Top Trade Negotiator To Visit US As Trump's $550 Billion Tariff Clock Starts Ticking

Japan’s top trade negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, is heading to Washington to push for the timely enforcement of Trump’s 15% tariffs on Japanese goods, according to Bloomberg. Akazawa said Japan will keep urging the U.S. to quickly and consistently implement the agreement, including lowering tariffs on cars and car parts. His visit follows criticism of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba for failing to formalize the deal with the U.S. under pressure from opposition lawmakers. Akazawa vowed to urge swift action to lower U.S. tariffs on Japanese cars and parts. Trump has touted the $550 billion trade deal as a job creator, though the tariffs continue to weigh heavily on automakers. Ford raised its projected tariff burden to $3 billion, and Stellantis estimates $1.7 billion in related costs. In contrast, Toyota stock rose after the deal’s announcement.