Japan Seeks Assurances from US on Tariff Impact After Supreme Court Ruling

Tokyo, February 24 (EFE) – Japan has requested the United States to ensure that the impact of new 15% global tariffs, expected to take effect Tuesday following the US Supreme Court’s decision on reciprocal rates, does not exceed the terms of the trade framework agreed upon between the two countries last year.

Trade Agreement Concerns

Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ryosei Akazawa, urged US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in a telephone conversation to “guarantee that the treatment of Japan is no less favorable” than previously agreed, according to a statement released by the Japanese ministry. The request comes after President Donald Trump announced the new tariffs following the Supreme Court ruling on Friday.

Government Response and Monitoring

Japanese government spokesman Minoru Kihara stated in a press conference that Japan will “carefully” study the US Supreme Court ruling that invalidated Trump’s tariff policy. Kihara added that Japan is “watching closely and with interest” the ramifications of Trump’s new global tax on the bilateral trade agreement reached last July, which includes Japanese investment commitments valued at $550 billion.

Investment Projects Unaffected

Japan’s request follows Trump’s recent unveiling of the first Japanese investment projects on US soil, valued at $36 billion, which Tokyo believes will not be affected by the Supreme Court’s decision. These investments include a large-scale natural gas infrastructure project in Ohio, as well as projects related to liquefied natural gas (LNG) and critical minerals sectors.

Recent US Supreme Court Ruling

The US Supreme Court recently ruled on a case concerning President Trump’s authority to impose tariffs. The ruling has prompted a response from the Japanese government, seeking clarity on how the new tariffs will affect existing trade agreements.

Source: EFE