Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru / It is truly deplorable that the US government has now announced an increase in tariff rates in addition to the tariffs already imposed.

The Japanese Prime Minister instructed the government to work together on the tariff issue with the highest priority toward the newly set August 1 deadline.

The remarks came following US President Donald Trump’s tariff announcement.

Trump said in a letter that a 25% tariff will be imposed on products imported from Japan to the US, and warned that he will further raise the tariff if Japan retaliates.

According to the White House, the tariff on automobiles will remain at 25%, while the additional tariffs will not be applied to the steel sector and others.

A Japanese government source said that the letter showed no enthusiasm for serious discussions toward an agreement.

Another pointed out that Japan’s proposed condition is to have lower tariffs on the automobile sector, but Trump has no intention of lowering them at all.

Sources related to the Japan-US tariff negotiation said that the worst-case scenario of tariffs being raised during the Japan’s Upper House election has been averted, however, efforts to lower auto tariffs will continue.