Photo/Illutration Japanese cars lined up at Daikoku Wharf in Yokohama, a hub for exports, in the city’s Tsurumi Ward, on March 27. (Daisuke Matsuoka)

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25 percent increase in tariffs on all automobile imports, effective April 3, dealing far-reaching consequences for the global economy.

The decision is outrageous and represents a significant blow to the principles of free trade. Japan, in particular, is poised to face severe repercussions.

The Japanese government must take decisive action and call on the Trump administration to reconsider and withdraw this measure. At the same time, Tokyo needs to explore appropriate countermeasures to safeguard national interests.

The second Trump administration, inaugurated in January, swiftly imposed steep tariffs on imports from China, Mexico and Canada. It then broadened these measures by levying a 25 percent tariff on steel and aluminum from all countries, including Japan. Now, by extending this disturbingly protectionist policy to automobiles, the administration has taken a reckless and unjustifiable step further.

To justify the move, the U.S. government claims that automobile imports pose “a critical threat to U.S. national security.” In reality, the intent is plainly to shield the domestic auto industry from foreign competition.

These unilateral and high tariffs flagrantly disregard World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and existing international trade agreements, heightening the risk of global economic instability. This unjustified action must be unequivocally condemned.

Of Japan’s 21 trillion yen ($140 billion) in exports to the United States last year, approximately 6 trillion yen--nearly 30 percent--came from automobiles. The proposed tariff hike is expected to significantly reduce both sales and profits for Japanese automakers in the U.S. market.

The automotive industry relies on a highly intricate, cross-border supply chain encompassing a wide range of materials and parts suppliers. As a result, companies across the sector will be forced to make difficult and complex decisions. Given the industry’s extensive network and its critical role in the broader economy, the potential damage cannot be underestimated. The Japanese government must carefully track the real-world impact of these U.S. trade measures and respond with appropriate urgency.

To date, Tokyo has focused on urging the Trump administration to exempt Japan from the high tariff measures, but Washington has remained unresponsive. The United States is also expected to unveil a “reciprocal tariff” policy next month, signaling a likely escalation of its unilateral and self-serving trade approach. Japan’s appeals for “special treatment” are clearly reaching their limits.

In contrast, the European Union, China and other nations have already filed complaints with the WTO and imposed retaliatory tariffs. When asked in the Diet on March 27 whether the Japanese government is considering similar measures, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba responded: “We are considering all possible responses. It is one of the options.”

Although a tit-for-tat escalation of retaliatory measures must be avoided to prevent a full-blown trade war, Japan should not hesitate to employ internationally sanctioned trade mechanisms to counter U.S. pressure. While the Japan-U.S. relationship remains vital, it is equally important for Japan to stand firm in the face of unreasonable demands and unfounded criticism from the Trump administration.

Most importantly, Japan should strengthen coordination with other countries that uphold the principles of free trade and pursue collective, effective action. Multilateral diplomatic engagement is essential for resolving the current tensions and restoring stability to the global trading system.

--The Asahi Shimbun, March 28

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