Japan challenges the tariff bullying of the United States

In the midst of diplomatic impasse, Japan reacts with lucidity to American stance and pressures for a fair agreement before tariffs cause irreversible damage

The recent statement by the Japanese government about the tariffs imposed by the United States has once again open Washington’s aggressive and unilateral policy, which insists on choking its allies in the name of an alleged “national interest.” While Japan demonstrates clarity and firmness in requiring total elimination of these abusive measures, the US continues to act as an unfair commercial partner, imposing economic barriers that only serve to feed global tensions.

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Since Donald Trump took over the presidency, the US has justified its predatory tariffs under the “America First” mantra. However, this rhetoric masks a strategy of economic domination that ignores the rules of international trade and penalizes even allied nations.

Japan, one of the largest US business partners, is now forced to fight absurd taxes on steel, aluminum, cars and automotive parts – vital sectors for its economy.

Ryosi Akazawa, the main Japanese negotiator, left no room for doubt: American measures are “extremely unfortunate” and must be revoked. But while Tokyo acts with transparency, Washington insists on a game of pressure and procrastination.

The difficulty in scheduling meetings with US secretaries – Scott Bessent, Jamieson Greer and Howard Lutnick – no coincidence; It is a reflection of the arrogance of a government that treats diplomacy as a monologue.

The previous two rounds of negotiations between US and Japan were, in the official words, “cordial”. But cordiality does not generate results. While Americans focus only on maintaining their 24%retaliatory rates, Japan seeks a broad dialogue that includes the revision of all rates arbitrarily imposed. The disparity is obvious: the US does not want to negotiate; They want to dictate the rules.

And the Japanese people have already noticed. A recent research from the Yomiuri Shimbun He revealed that only 19% of citizens have positive expectations about negotiations. The other 72% understand that Washington does not act in good faith. This distrust is justified: the US has a history of breaking agreements when it suits them, as they did with the Transpacific Treaty (TPP) and in its constant WTO threats.

Analysts suggest that Japan may be postponing negotiations in the hope that the US will back off in the face of economic pressure. But how long should Tokyo wait? Akazawa stated that “it cannot be allowed to be in a hurry for an agreement to harm national interests.” However, the American posture indicates that without firm resistance the tariffs will remain – and multiply.

Meanwhile, Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato tries to discuss exchange rates with Bessent in the G7. But, as in all previous conversations, the US is unlikely to give in. Washington does not negotiate; imposes.

The United States, under the pretext of protecting its economy, became the largest factor of destabilization of international trade. Their tariffs are not just an attack on Japan, but a blow against multilateralism.

As long as the US government insists on this hostile policy, allies will need to respond with unity and firmness – or accept to be victims of a game where only Washington dictates the rules.

Japan is right in its position. Now the world must decide whether to tolerate the US economic bullying or finally will face this arrogance.