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| Yoshimasa Hayashi |
Tokyo has responded positively to the United States' recent pause on implementing new "reciprocal" tariffs, but is strongly urging Washington to review its existing levies on key Japanese industries, according to government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi.
While welcoming the 90-day suspension of tariffs announced by President Trump last week, Hayashi emphasized that Japan continues to call for a reassessment of U.S. measures, including those on steel, aluminum, vehicles, and auto parts. The proposed tariffs included a 24-percent levy on imports from Japan.
Hayashi noted the importance of the auto sector to Japan's economy, as it directly or indirectly employs around 5.6 million people.
In addition to the existing 25% tariffs on cars coming into the United States, many Japanese firms depend on production sites in countries that face even higher tariffs, such as Vietnam. These factors, said Hayashi, made it imperative that the U.S. reconsider its trade policies toward Japan.