Russian drones kill three in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, governor says
Late on Thursday evening, Russian drone strikes in northeastern Ukraine’s Kharkiv region resulted in the deaths of three people and left three other...
U.S. President Donald Trump has signalled no intention of easing hefty auto tariffs on Japan, reaffirming a hard-line trade stance just days before a critical deadline on country-specific tariffs expires.
In an interview broadcast on Sunday, Trump said his administration is prepared to unilaterally notify trading partners—including Japan—of new tariff rates, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts and strong opposition from Tokyo.
Trump's comments come as his administration’s 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs is set to end on 9 July. The measure was intended to give major trading partners, including Japan, the European Union, India, and South Korea, a window to negotiate deals aimed at narrowing trade imbalances.
“I could send one [letter] to Japan. Dear Mr. Japan, here’s the story. You’re going to pay a 25% tariff on your cars,” Trump said in a Fox News interview, using Japan as an example of countries he believes benefit disproportionately from U.S. market access.
“They won’t take our cars, and yet we take millions and millions of their cars into the United States. It’s not fair.”
The remarks come amid stalled negotiations with Japan, which were further complicated after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Trump failed to reach an agreement during their recent meeting in Canada.
Japan's top tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, has been in Washington since Thursday for a seventh round of talks but was unable to secure a meeting with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, a key figure in Trump’s trade team.
Akazawa did meet briefly with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and held two phone calls with him, but sources familiar with the discussions said no major breakthrough was achieved. The Japanese delegation, which extended its stay through Sunday in hopes of progress, returned to Tokyo without a deal.
Japan raised concerns earlier this year after the U.S. increased its duty on imported Japanese automobiles from 2.5% to 27.5%.
Tokyo has repeatedly urged Washington to reconsider, warning that the tariffs could damage both countries' economies and strain ties between close allies.
While Treasury Secretary Bessent has recently indicated that the tariff pause could be extended if negotiations continue in good faith, Trump’s latest remarks suggest the president is leaning toward a unilateral approach.
“We don’t have to meet. We understand. We have all the numbers,” Trump said. “Congratulations. We’re allowing you to shop in the United States of America. You’re going to pay a 25% tariff, or a 35% or a 50% or a 10%.”
Trump also suggested Japan could help reduce its trade surplus with the U.S. by purchasing more American oil and other goods—an idea Tokyo has not publicly embraced.
The White House on Thursday said the 90-day pause could still be extended, but Trump’s comments now cast doubt on that prospect. The tariff pause does not affect the administration’s global 10% baseline tariff, nor the existing sector-based levies on cars and auto parts, which remain in force.
As the 9 July deadline approaches, analysts warn that failure to resolve the dispute could reignite trade tensions between Washington and Tokyo, further unsettling global markets and automotive supply chains already strained by broader protectionist policies.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
Thailand’s royal authority has blocked a move by acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai to dissolve parliament and call snap elections, citing legal concerns over his authority to submit such a request, local media reported on Wednesday.
More than 100,000 people are expected to take part in France’s “Block Everything” movement on 10 September, broadcaster France Info reported on Thursday. Energy, transport, and defence sectors are likely to be the most affected.
The death toll from Sunday’s powerful earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has risen above 2,200, with search and rescue operations ongoing. Local officials warn that many people remain trapped under rubble, and the number of fatalities is likely to climb further.
Colton Herta, nine-time IndyCar race winner, is set to compete in Formula Two next year while also taking on a test driver role for Cadillac.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced plans to propose updates to the certification process for new commercial aircraft, according to a notice released by the Trump administration on Thursday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment