Overview

• President Donald Trump signed an order on September 4 cutting most tariffs on Japanese imports, including cars and parts, to a 15% baseline.
• Japan’s tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa said in an X post that the U.S. will revise tariffs on September 16, with further reductions for automobiles and auto parts.
• The tariff change is reported to take effect seven days after the order, and coverage indicates the 15% levy extends to nearly all Japanese exports.
• Japan also agreed to increase purchases of U.S. agricultural goods by about $8 billion annually, with a 75% boost in rice imports reported by outlets.
• Shares of Japanese automakers and suppliers climbed on the news, while economists caution the broader tariff regime and metal duties could still raise vehicle prices and weigh on U.S. producers.