Japan regrets the United States' decision to impose new tariffs on 60 trading partners, including Japan, regarding the alleged weakness of the ban on the import of goods resulting from forced labor. However, Tokyo ensures that Washington will not impose additional tariffs on Japan beyond the trade agreement between the two countries last year.
Kyodo News quoted Friday, July 23, saying the statement was made by Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara at a press conference on Friday.
According to Kihara, Tokyo and Washington's commitment to the bilateral trade agreement remains in place. The agreement includes a reduction in tariffs on cars and vehicle parts.
The United States on Thursday announced new tariffs of up to 12.5 percent on 60 trading partners. The policy is linked to the allegation that the countries have not adequately prohibited the import of goods made with forced labor.
The announcement comes ahead of the expiration of the 10 percent global tariff imposed since February. The tariff was implemented shortly after the US Supreme Court overturned President Donald Trump's widely applied reciprocal tariff policy.
Kihara stressed that Japanese industrial and trade practices "are in accordance with international rules".
"We have confirmed that the United States will not impose any additional tariffs on Japan beyond last year's agreement," Kihara said.
He said the Japanese government would continue to maintain close communication with Washington.
The agreement reached in July last year set the US reciprocal tariff on Japanese goods at 15 percent. The tariff for cars was also set at the same level.
The agreement was accompanied by a Japanese investment package worth 550 billion US dollars.
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