Trump threatens Japan with tariffs as trade deadline nears

US President Donald Trump has warned that Japan could face tariffs as high as 35% if the two countries fail to reach a trade agreement before a looming deadline next week.

Speaking aboard Air Force One on Tuesday, Trump said he was considering a 30% to 35% tariff on Japanese goods—significantly higher than the 24% imposed during his so-called "Liberation Day" on April 2, when sweeping tariffs were announced on a range of U.S. trading partners.

Although those tariffs were later reduced to 10% for 90 days to allow time for negotiations, that temporary relief is set to expire on July 9. Trump indicated he has no intention of extending the deadline and expressed skepticism about a possible deal with Tokyo. “We've dealt with Japan. I'm not sure we're going to make a deal. I doubt it,” he said.

Japan offered no direct response to Trump’s latest comments. “We are aware of what President Trump said, but we don't comment on every remark made by U.S. government officials,” said Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kazuhiko Aoki at a press conference on Wednesday.

Currently, most Japanese exports to the U.S. face a 10% tariff, while automobiles and parts are hit with a 25% import tax. Steel and aluminum face tariffs of up to 50%.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi reaffirmed his country’s stance on Tuesday, saying Tokyo would not make agricultural concessions to secure a trade agreement with Washington. His remarks followed Trump’s criticism of Japan’s trade policies—particularly its limited imports of American rice—on his Truth Social platform. “They won’t take our RICE, and yet they have a massive rice shortage,” Trump wrote, despite also stating he has “great respect for Japan.”

Trump had originally vowed to finalize 90 trade agreements during the 90-day tariff pause, but so far, only the United Kingdom has reached a deal with the United States.