This photo taken on May 10, 2025 shows cargo ships loaded with containers at the Port of Los Angeles in California, United States. (Photo: Xinhua)

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Thursday acknowledged that the US side has failed to implement a key provision of a bilateral agreement concerning tariff relief, according to a report by Xinhua News Agency.

Speaking to reporters at the Prime Minister's Office, Ishiba said that he strongly urges the US to immediately take corrective measures to amend the presidential executive order, per the report.

Under the agreement reached during earlier negotiations, Washington had pledged that Japanese exports to the US would be eligible for tariff relief under the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" framework. Specifically, products already subject to tariffs of 15 percent or higher would be exempt from further duties, while those taxed below 15 percent would see their rates raised to that level.

There is no disagreement between Japan and the US on this matter, Ishiba said, adding that Minister in charge of Economic Revitalization Akazawa Ryosei, who is currently visiting the US, has reconfirmed the terms of the agreement with American officials, according to Xinhua. 

The new US reciprocal tariff rates officially took effect on Thursday. However, Japanese officials believe that the lack of specific provisions regarding Japan in Washington's official announcement could result in certain Japanese products being subject to higher-than-agreed tariffs, according to Xinhua.

Akazawa held talks with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick for three hours and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for 30 minutes on Thursday US time, the Japanese government said.

Akazawa "strongly" urged the US to revise the presidential order on the levies at his meetings with top US officials in Washington. He also urged the US to implement at an early date an agreed cut to US tariffs on Japanese auto and auto parts, according to Reuters' report. 

Japan has been seeking clarification, as a lack of written confirmation of the deal it struck with the US last month has led to confusion over whether President Donald Trump's tariffs that took effect on Thursday will be stacked on top of existing levies.

Under last month's deal, the US agreed to cut tariffs on Japanese car imports to 15 percent from levies totaling 27.5 percent previously but did not announce a timeframe for the change.

Japan "will continue to maintain close communication with the US side at various levels," the government said, without clarifying the US response to its latest requests.


Global Times