Introduction
President Trump, who refers to himself as “Tariff Man,” announced a substantial increase in tariffs on imports from all countries immediately following his presidential re-inauguration in January 2025. He further declared the introduction of “reciprocal” tariffs targeting countries with large trade deficits with the United States, sending shock waves through the global economy. Following these announcements, a series of tariff negotiations ensued between various countries, and Japan was no exception. Minister Ryosei Akazawa made multiple trips to the U.S. for discussions with U.S. officials, and in July 2025, it was announced that an agreement on tariff measures had been reached between Japan and the U.S. The tariff policies of the second Trump administration have had a significant impact on Japanese companies. However, they were difficult to anticipate and were subject to revision depending on changing circumstances, even after they were announced. This left many Japanese companies struggling with how to respond. In this roundtable discussion, attorneys-at-law and trade and customs experts Kaoru Hattori, and Ryosaku Kondo, and Oki Osawa, an attorney-at-law with expertise in corporate matters from a national and economic security perspective, will examine the tariff policies of the Trump administration and the course of these negotiations. They will also share their insights on what Japanese companies should take away from them.
CHAPTER
Part 1
01. Background and Outcome of Japan-U.S. Tariff Negotiations
For the full text of Part 1, please click here.
Part 2
02. Objectives of Trump’s Tariff Policies and Differences from the First Administration
03. Key Takeaways for Japanese Companies
For the full text of Part 2, please click here.
August 21 & 22, 2025
Dialogue participants: Kaoru Hattori, Oki Osawa, Ryosaku Kondo