Japan has agreed to let U.S. President Donald Trump decide where $550 billion of Japanese capital will be invested in the United States as part of a trade deal to secure tariff relief, according to a memorandum signed this week.
The agreement, enacted Thursday, requires Japan to fund projects selected by Trump within 45 days or face the return of steep tariffs. Japan had been subject to a 25% levy on exports to the U.S., which is now reduced to 15%.
The memorandum states that profits from the investments will be split evenly until Japan’s principal is repaid, after which the U.S. will take 90% of the returns.
The deal marks the latest step in Trump’s push to reshape global trade under his “America First” agenda. In recent months, his administration has secured revenue-sharing arrangements with U.S. chipmakers over sales in China and taken a golden share in U.S. Steel following its $15 billion takeover by Japan’s Nippon Steel.
The new tariff framework also lowers duties on Japanese cars and car parts from 27.5% to 15%. A U.S. investment committee chaired by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick will propose projects for Trump’s approval, with an aim to use Japanese suppliers where possible.
Economists said the arrangement could eventually support Japanese exports, depending on procurement levels.
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The collective-defence agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signals that regional powers no longer want to rely solely on external security guarantees. Whether it becomes a stabilising deterrent or another axis of rivalry remains unresolved.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 19th of August, covering the latest developments.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Australia on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to close its criminal investigation into the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six World Central Kitchen colleagues killed in Gaza in April 2024.
North Korea has fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles after U.S. President Donald Trump reduced American participation in joint military exercises with South Korea in an effort to revive dialogue with Pyongyang.
Georgia’s foreign trade data for January-July 2026 shows Kyrgyzstan, China and Russia as its top three export markets, highlighting its Middle Corridor ambitions and complex economic ties with Moscow.
Kazakhstan will vote on 23 August in its first parliamentary election under the new Constitution, choosing 145 members of the new Kurultai under a fundamentally changed electoral system based entirely on party lists.
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