Why It Matters Early on, Trump had expressed optimism about the potential for a quick trade deal with Japan, as he sought to renegotiate terms with dozens of countries during his reciprocal tariff pause.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Thursday U.S. President Donald Trump's views on some tariff-related issues may be based on misunderstanding or misinformation, as a pause on a 24% reciprocal tariff on imports from Japan expires next week.

US President Donald Trump cast doubt on reaching a trade deal with Japan, a day after threatening higher tariffs on Japanese exports to the United States, claiming the country won’t buy American rice.