Japan canceled a planned trade envoy visit to Washington after officials said further consultations were needed on tariff details. The July agreement set a 15% tariff on most Japanese imports effective Aug. 1, reduced from an earlier announced 25% reciprocal rate. Japanese officials later discovered the preliminary measure could stack an additional 15% onto existing tariffs and objected. U.S. officials acknowledged the error and agreed to honor the 15% rate and refund excess duties, but refunds have not yet occurred. Japan urged amendment of the U.S. presidential order and reduction of auto and auto-parts tariffs, noting mutual economic security stakes.
Japan's top trade negotiator abruptly canceled a trip to Washington aimed at issuing a joint statement on a tariffs deal with the Trump administration, as a top government spokesman urged the U.S. side to speed up implementation of the agreement.Trade envoy Ryosei Akazawa was scheduled to leave Tokyo for Washington on Thursday for a 10th round of talks, following up on the agreement announced on July 22.
In July, the two sides agreed on a 15% tax on imports of most Japanese goods, effective Aug. 1, down from an earlier 25% rate announced by President Donald Trump as so-called "reciprocal tariffs" on the major U.S. ally. Japanese officials discovered days later that the preliminary deal would add a 15% tariff to other tariffs and objected. Officials in Washington have acknowledged the mistake and agreed to abide by the agreement on a 15% tariff.
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