Photo/Illutration The Trump administration has imposed a 25-percent tariff on imports of steel products from other countries, including Japan. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

U.S. President Donald Trump has implemented a blanket 25-percent tariff on all steel and aluminum imports into the United States.

This decision represents a misguided and reckless manipulation of trade policy, with little regard for the significant economic repercussions it will have both domestically and globally.

Countries affected by this move, including Japan, should unite in their efforts to persistently challenge the unfairness and ineffectiveness of a series of tariffs and demand their rescinding.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration imposed a 25-percent tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada not covered by the trilateral trade agreement, while it also increased additional tariffs on China from 10 to 20 percent. Subsequently, steel and aluminum tariffs were extended to all countries, including Japan.

Additionally, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has explicitly stated that Japanese-made cars will be subject to the upcoming auto tariffs, which are set to be announced on April 2. These car import duties, expected to be around 25 percent, could severely impact the Japanese economy if implemented.

Unilateral high tariffs not only violate World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and bilateral trade agreements but also undermine the foundations of the global free trade system.

These tariffs threaten export-oriented countries while driving up costs and disrupting supply chains across various industries in the United States, potentially harming the broader global economy.

China has already imposed retaliatory tariffs on American imports, and the European Union and Canada have followed suit with similar countermeasures. A precarious situation is unfolding, where a global trade dispute with no clear winners is rapidly escalating.

The Trump administration’s inconsistent approach to tariff decisions, both before and after their implementation, is deeply troubling. The administration has repeatedly attempted to manipulate trade “deals” in its favor while gauging the reactions of trade partners.

This strategy not only disrupts businesses and consumers but also accelerates economic stagnation and instability.

In the United States, imports are surging before the imposition of tariffs and uncertainty about what lies ahead has created volatility in financial markets.

While Trump continues to downplay the consequences of his reckless tariff policies, he must recognize that his actions pose a significant threat to the global economy and are eroding his country’s credibility on the international stage.

Just before the imposition of steel and aluminum tariffs, Economy, Trade, and Industry Minister Yoji Muto visited the United States to request an exemption for Japan, but his request was denied.

Muto has stated that working-level talks between the two countries will continue, but this issue cannot be resolved by seeking special treatment on an individual basis.

If Tokyo succumbs to the U.S. president’s preference for bilateral negotiations for deals, it risks facing unreasonable demands from Washington. This approach could also contribute to the erosion of the WTO system.

It is essential for countries that support free trade and international cooperation to unite and uphold established trade rules.

This month, Japan and Britain agreed in a ministerial meeting to work together on strengthening the WTO’s functions.

Moving forward, it is crucial for Japan to seize opportunities to engage with major countries and collaborate diplomatically to counter the self-centered behavior of the United States. 

--The Asahi Shimbun, March 18

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