Tokyo requests treatment equal to the July pact after Trump announces new 15% global tariff
The Japanese government assesses that it could face higher tariffs if the United States moves forward with a new import tax regime, but has asked Washington for treatment equivalent to the trade agreement signed between the 2 countries in July last year. The signal was given this Tuesday (Feb 24, 2026) by members of the Japanese government.
The alert comes after the president of the United States, (Republican Party), announced about imports from all countries, the maximum percentage allowed by legislation other than IEEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act), whose use to justify tariffs by the Supreme Court on Friday (Feb 20).
Japan’s Commerce Minister, Ryosei Akazawasaid that Tokyo requested conditions “equally favorable” to those negotiated last year. According to him, part of Japanese exports that currently have tariff reductions could be affected if the new regime is applied. Still, he stated that the understanding reached in July is “win-win” and ruled out traveling to the USA to reopen negotiations. The information is from the agency.
On Monday (Feb 23), Akazawa spoke by telephone with the US Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick. According to the Japanese ministry, the minister reiterated that the agreement will be implemented “in good faith and without delay”.
The agreement reached in July reduced tariffs on automobiles and other Japanese products to 15%. In return, Japan announced a package of US$550 billion in loans and investments aimed at the USA. Last week, the 2 countries announced those financed with Japanese resources, valued at US$36 billion: an oil export terminal, an industrial diamond factory and a gas-fired thermoelectric plant.
The Japanese government does not intend to review the agreement before the visit of the Prime Minister (Liberal Democratic Party, right) to the United States, scheduled for next month. The internal assessment is that reopening the treaty could provoke a reaction from Trump, with the application of tougher sectoral tariffs, especially against the Japanese automobile industry.
Trump also declared that countries that withdraw from trade agreements with Washington could be targeted under other trade legislation. In light of the Supreme Court’s decision, Japanese authorities said they will examine the details of the trial, but maintained the strategy of preserving the current agreement and the stability of the bilateral relationship.
