US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to send Tokyo a letter outlining a new tariff rate, just days before a deadline that will see higher levies resume for dozens of trading partners, including Japan.
Trump’s comments, made on his Truth Social platform, focused on what he described as Japan’s reluctance to accept US rice exports. His remarks followed signals from his top economic advisor about plans to finalize trade deals with various countries in the coming days.
“I have great respect for Japan, they won’t take our RICE, and yet they have a massive rice shortage,” Trump wrote. “In other words, we’ll just be sending them a letter, and we love having them as a Trading Partner for many years to come,” he added. Earlier this month, Trump had stated his intention to inform other countries of unilateral US tariff rates via “letters” outlining “what the deal is.”
According to a trade association for the US rice industry, Japan is currently the United States’ second-largest milled rice export market by volume.
While Trump imposed a sweeping 10 percent tariff on imports from most trading partners in April, he later unveiled – and then temporarily paused – higher rates on dozens of economies to create room for negotiations. This pause is set to expire on July 9, meaning that elevated rates are due to kick in next week if countries fail to reach agreements with Washington to avert them.
To date, only two pacts have been announced: a broad framework with the United Kingdom and a deal to temporarily lower steep tit-for-tat duties with China.
Earlier on Monday, National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett informed CNBC that Washington had a “double digit” number of pacts, including frameworks, that were nearing agreement. He indicated that once a major package on tax relief and spending cuts is passed, he anticipates a “marathon session” to discuss the tariffs with Trump and determine the rates for various countries. Lawmakers have been hoping to get the mega-bill to Trump’s desk by July 4.
Trump threatens fresh tariffs on Japan over rice exports details the recent developments concerning President Trump’s tariff threats against Japan regarding rice imports.
*
Email *
Website
