Overview

• A White House senior official said the mutual tariff order will be amended to include previously agreed burden-mitigation carve-outs and any excess duties levied since August 7 will be refunded.
• No formal amendment or implementation date has been set, leaving the intended cut in automobile tariffs from 27.5% to 15% in limbo.
• Japanese livestock exporters have welcomed plans to maintain Wagyu beef under the pre-existing duty schedule, avoiding the additional surcharge.
• Industry representatives, including major automakers, have praised the concessions yet warned that reliance on verbal assurances undermines certainty.
• Economic Revitalization Minister Ryo Akazawa secured verbal U.S. assent during August 6–7 talks and will continue pressing for formal confirmation and clear timelines.