President Trump suggested Monday there won’t be a trade deal with Japan, sharing that the trading partner will be getting a letter from the administration to set a tariff rate.
“To show people how spoiled Countries have become with respect to the United States of America, and I have great respect for Japan, they won’t take our RICE, and yet they have a massive rice shortage,” Trump said on Truth Social, referring to Japan’s rice crisis that has elevated prices.
The president continued, “In other words, we’ll just be sending them a letter, and we love having them as a Trading Partner for many years to come.”
Trump has said he will send letters to trading partners to establish tariff rates ahead of the July 8 expiration on the pause on his hefty “reciprocal” tariffs.
Officials, though, have insisted for months that talks are progressing with trading partners, including with Japan, as well as with India and Vietnam.
The White House and Treasury Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the president’s comments on Japan.
The administration has been working on trade deals during the 90-day pause, but only agreements with China and the United Kingdom have been announced, despite the self-imposed ambitious goal of 90 deals in 90 days.
The president hinting at stalling talks with Japan comes after White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said last week that the administration is waiting to announce trade deals until after Trump’s megabill passes Congress.
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