Japan Urges Immediate U.S. Tariff Cuts as $500B Trade Deal Stalls
Japan's top trade negotiator, Akimasa Akazawa, has called for swift action from President TRUMP to reduce tariffs on auto and spare parts imports. The current 25% levy could drop to 15%, but Akazawa warns that bureaucratic delays risk diluting the agreement's impact. "Executive orders beat vague paperwork," he asserted during tense negotiations.
The proposed $500 billion funding package—channeled through institutions like NEXI and JBIC—aims to stabilize bilateral trade. These loans and guarantees aren't bailouts but economic armor, Akazawa clarified. Misinterpretation remains his chief concern; verbal commitments now could prevent disputes later.