Trump’s pressure on Japan for tariff deal is a preview of what’s to come for Korea

US President Donald Trump speaks at a prayer breakfast for Easter on April 16, 2025. (UPI/Yonhap)

US President Donald Trump turned the heat up on Japan by appearing in person for the first ministerial-level tariff talks between the two countries. With a US victory over China in this new tariff war far from assured, Washington is racing to reach a deal with Japan, an ally that relies heavily on the US, while also roping security issues into the mix. Many expect that Korea will face the same kinds of pressures as Japan when negotiating tariffs.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated Thursday (local time) that during the ministerial talks with the US, Japan expressed “regret” over the tariffs the US has imposed on Japan, explained how such measures would impact Japanese industries, investments and job creation before urging the US to rethink the tariffs.

“Trump explained candidly the situation the US finds itself in and the reason behind the reciprocal tariff declaration, stating that ‘negotiations with Japan are [the US’] utmost priority,’” Hayashi stated.

The Trump administration is planning on implementing a 24 percent tariff on Japanese goods, which is 1 percentage point lower than the one it has calculated for South Korea. However, the US announced on April 10, a few hours after the tariffs came into full force, that the implementation of reciprocal tariffs on all countries, excluding Chin,a would be put on hold for 90 days.

Japan’s Ryosei Akazawa, the economic revitalization minister heading up tariff negotiations, held ministerial talks with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday at the White House. Akazawa reported to have held a meeting with Trump for 50 minutes before holding the talks with Bessent for the following 75 minutes. As Trump suddenly declared his intention to participate in the talks, the meeting was held not at the Treasury headquarters, but at the White House.

“Despite being so much lower than him in terms of ranks, I was honored that President Trump came out of his way to engage in dialogue with me,” Akazawa said. The Japanese press reported that Trump gave Akazawa one of his signature red “Make America Great Again” caps. Following the meeting, Trump posted, “A Great Honor to have just met with the Japanese Delegation on Trade. Big Progress!” on True Social.

Trump personally trying to speed up tariff negotiations with Japan seems to be rooted in the US’ desire to produce tangible results, and fast, by first meeting with counterparts relatively easier to negotiate with — in other words, going after low-hanging fruit. “I understand that the US intends to conclude a deal within 90 days, which is how long the tariffs will be put on hold,” Akazawa commented after the meeting.

Some see the situation as one in which the US is attempting to quickly reach reasonable deals on tariff issues with certain countries now that China has put the country on its back foot by announcing its own reciprocal tariffs of over 100%.

The Japanese government outlined three main agreements that resulted in the first round of tariff negotiations between the US. First, the two countries have decided to conclude tariff negotiations as soon as possible and make a joint announcement at a summit. Second, they will adjust their schedules to allow for second round of negotiations before the end of April, and lastly, they will expand talks to the working level.

Both countries are keeping mum about the specifics of the negotiations. The US is expected to aggressively voice its concerns over Japan’s non-tariff barriers, measures to reduce the US trade deficit with Japan, increased defense spending for the US military in Japan, and complaints about the yen’s value against the dollar. Trump appeared to have already decided on the three agendas of the talk as he uploaded, “Japan is coming in today to negotiate Tariffs, the cost of military support, and ‘TRADE FAIRNESS,’” on True Social before the Japanese delegation arrived in the US.

Trump mentioned his disgruntlement over how the US is supposedly shouldering most of Japan’s defense spending costs, such as the funding for US Forces stationed in Japan, Japanese media reported.

The Asahi Shimbun stated that Trump “reiterated that the Japan-US Security Treaty is ‘unfair’ because it obliges only the US to defend Japan.” The US’ attempt to link tariffs with the issue of defense costs is a highly sensitive issue to South Korea as well, which is expected to begin talks with the US next week. The ministerial-level talk following Trump and Akazawa’s meeting primarily addressed the US trade deficit with Japan.

Stephen Miran, the chair of the US Council of Economic Advisers and Trump’s close adviser on economic matters, stated in an interview with the Yomiuri Shimbun that the trade deficit in goods “erodes our ability to produce the equipment that we need to defend ourselves. We need to get to a place where our industrial base is capable of really underwriting our national security priorities.”