The best commercial negotiator in Japan expects a trade agreement with the United States to spare Tokyo from the tariff of higher cars, even if US President Donald Trump decides to increase it against other countries.
“We are in bilateral negotiations with the United States,” said Riusi Akazawa on Friday. “In general, if we get to a deal, you must secure a special treatment for Japan, and exclude them from the rules that apply to most countries.”
Akazawa made statements after he was asked about Trump’s comments that indicated that he was considering raising the customs tariff on imported cars to increase production in the United States, as Akazawa said he realizes that the US Treasury has indicated a possible extension of the deadline for the return of the definitions to the party to the original rates, which means that it is supposed to be to reach 24 % of 10 % for Japan.
Akazawa is heading to the United States, where the two countries were heading to a potential trade deal from an expected summit in Canada between Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigro Ishiba. The two are expected to meet on the sidelines of a group of seven leaders, starting on Sunday.
The customs tariffs threaten 25 % on cars and auto parts by pushing the Japanese economy to a technical stagnation with a blow to the most important exports of the country, just as Ishiba is preparing for the national elections in July. The United States recently doubled a steel and aluminum tax to 50 %.
Akazawa said that Japan will continue a review request for all American definitions and aims at a set of agreements.
This story was originally shown on Fortune.com
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