Japan considering Soybean, rice concessions in US tariff talks, reports Yomiuri

Japan is contemplating offering concessions in the form of increased soybean and rice imports as part of ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, according to a report by the Yomiuri daily on Saturday.

This move comes as Japan seeks to address U.S. demands during President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff campaign, which has raised concerns about potential recession risks.

During the first round of bilateral talks on Wednesday, U.S. negotiators brought up trade barriers in sectors such as automobiles and rice, and requested that Japan import more U.S. goods, including meat, fish products, and potatoes, the report said. The Japanese government has not yet commented on the report.

In response to Trump's trade policies, Japan has faced 24% tariffs on exports to the U.S., with the rates paused for 90 days, but a 10% universal tariff and a 25% duty on cars remain in effect. Japan, which heavily relies on car exports, has sought to reduce the impact of these levies, which have disrupted market stability.

Trump has criticized Japan for its alleged 700% tariff on rice, a claim that Japan disputes, citing outdated international rice pricing. Despite these tensions, Japan has been steadily increasing its rice imports over the past year to address domestic shortages caused by rising prices.

Japan’s economic revitalization minister, Ryosei Akazawa, engaged in discussions with U.S. officials in the Oval Office following the talks, although specific details of the discussions remain scarce. Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato is expected to continue bilateral discussions with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington next week, focusing on further trade concerns and priorities.

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