Trade Talks With Japan Are Next Up for the Trump Team

Japanese officials will talk trade in Washington Wednesday, President Donald Trump said—but that’s not all they’ll discuss.  

“Japan is coming in today to negotiate Tariffs, the cost of military support, and ‘TRADE FAIRNESS,’” Trump said in a morning post on Truth Social. The president, along with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, will attend the talks, Trump said. 

The meetings represent the latest developments since Trump called for a 90-day pause in “reciprocal” tariffs. Under that tariff proposal, the administration had called for a 24% tariff on imports from Japan specifically. Those could still be enacted if the two governments fail to reach a deal, according to previous comments from the administration.

Japan is a key U.S. trading partner, sending goods including cars and electronics to America. The U.S. exports natural gas, meat, poultry, and more to Japan. U.S. government data indicates that total trade with Japan topped $300 billion in 2022.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reportedly cautioned against expecting a quick resolution to trade talks with the U.S. on Monday. Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s economic revitalization minister, has said the country’s goal is “the complete elimination of the series of additional tariffs that have been imposed.”

As to military support, tens of thousands of U.S. troops from a range of services are based in Japan.

Another possible discussion topic on the docket could be Nippon Steel’s ambition to acquire US Steel (X), a multibillion-dollar deal former President Joe Biden blocked and of which Trump has ordered an investigation.