Japan Urges US to Avoid Unfavorable Tariff Treatment
WASHINGTON – Japan has requested assurances from the United States that it will not be disadvantaged under Washington’s recently implemented tariff measures, specifically seeking to avoid a potential 15 percent tariff on Japanese goods. The appeal was made by Japanese trade minister Ryosei Akazawa during a meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Friday, March 7, 2026.
New US Tariffs and Concerns
The U.S. Imposed a new 10 percent blanket levy in February, following a Supreme Court decision regarding tariffs enacted during the Trump administration. This levy has the potential to increase to 15 percent, creating uncertainty regarding existing trade agreements and tariff rates [Japan Times].
Akazawa emphasized the importance of adhering to the terms of last year’s trade deal, which established a baseline 15 percent tariff on nearly all Japanese imports, a reduction from the previous rates of 27.5 percent on autos and a threatened 25 percent on other goods [Japan Times].
“We requested that Japan’s treatment under the new tariff rules would not become less favourable than what was agreed last year,” Akazawa stated, highlighting concerns that the new blanket levy could increase costs for certain Japanese exports [Japan Times].
Akazawa did not disclose the U.S. Side’s response to the request [Japan Times].
Investment and Cooperation
During the two-hour meeting, Akazawa and Lutnick similarly discussed Japan’s $550 billion investment pledge in the U.S., as well as collaboration on energy and critical minerals [Japan Times]. This discussion comes ahead of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s planned visit to Washington on March 19.
Japan and the U.S. Are reportedly working to include a nuclear power project involving Westinghouse in the second phase of investment deals related to the tariff agreement. The first round of projects, announced last month, totaled $36 billion and covered offshore drilling, natural gas production, and synthetic diamonds [Japan Times].
The U.S. Commerce Department confirmed the meeting between Lutnick and Akazawa, stating that they discussed strengthening economic ties following the recent investment agreement, but did not mention the specifics of tariff treatment [MSN].