U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says Japan's $550 billion of investment funding in return for lower U.S. tariff rates will be directed by U.S. President Donald Trump to benefit the United States. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/08/20/economy/lutnick-cnbc-billion/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #economy #ryoseiakazawa #tariffs #donaldtrump #trade #carmakers #us #japaneseeconomy #usjapanrelations #scottbessent #howardlutnick

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s last-minute trade deal with the U.S. may calm tariff fears but has cost him politically, leaving Japan’s ruling party divided and his leadership on the brink. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2025/07/24/japan/ishiba-bends-the-knee-to-trump/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #commentary #japan #shigeruishiba #donaldtrump #ldp #tariffs #ryoseiakazawa #usjapanrelations #trade

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. will seek the best deal for itself in tariff negotiations with Japan in an apparent check on Tokyo as it sought a review of U.S. automobile tariffs. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/07/22/bessent-tariff-deals-timing/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #usjapanrelations #trade #tariffs #donaldtrump #ryoseiakazawa #shigeruishiba

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated the two nations could reach a "good” trade deal while signaling the process may take more time. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/07/19/economy/us-japan-trade-deal-bessent/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #economy #usjapanrelations #trade #tariffs #ryoseiakazawa #scottbessent #donaldtrump #us #japaneseeconomy

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed frustration with Japan over trade, saying that his "reciprocal" tariff rate of 25%, mentioned in a letter sent to Tokyo, might simply be allowed to go into effect on Aug. 1. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/07/16/economy/trump-japan-tariffs/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #economy #tariffs #donaldtrump #us #usjapanrelations #trade #globaleconomy #japaneseeconomy #shigeruishiba #ryoseiakazawa

Japan is unlikely to face pressure from the U.S. to prop up the yen despite U.S. President Donald Trump's criticism of its large trade surplus with his country, a former top currency diplomat says. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/07/10/economy/ex-japan-forex-diplomat-yen/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #economy #usjapanrelations #currencies #dollar #yen #donaldtrump #scottbessent #ryoseiakazawa #tariffs

Japan's top tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, held "in-depth exchanges" over the phone with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Thursday and Saturday, the Japanese government said. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/07/06/economy/us-japan-trade-tariffs-calls/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #economy #howardlutnick #trade #tariffs #us #usjapanrelations #japaneseeconomy #donaldtrump #ryoseiakazawa