Trump threatens Japan to impose 30-35% tariff if deal not reached

That would be higher than the 24-per cent tariff Japan was hit with as part of Trump's so-called ‘Liberation Day’ on April 2 this year, when he announced steep import duties on several nations.

Trump also continued to cast doubt that an agreement could be reached with Tokyo. "We've dealt with Japan. I'm not sure we're going to make a deal. I doubt it with Japan. They’re very tough. You have to understand they're very spoiled," he reportedly told reporters aboard Air Force One a day before.

Like several other countries, most of Japan's exports to the United States now face a 10-per cent tariff. There is also a 25-per cent import tax on Japanese vehicles and parts, while steel and aluminium are subject to a 50-per cent tariff.

Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi has said that to strike a deal with Washington, he would not make concessions that could hurt domestic farmers.

"To show people how spoiled Countries have become with respect to the United States of America, and I have great respect for Japan, they won't take our RICE, and yet they have a massive rice shortage," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)