logo
Japan Business Group Chair Welcomes Outcome of Tariff Talks, But Also Say 15% Reciprocal Tariff ‘By No Means Low'

Japan Business Group Chair Welcomes Outcome of Tariff Talks, But Also Say 15% Reciprocal Tariff ‘By No Means Low'

Yomiuri Shimbun4 days ago
Yoshinobu Tsutsui, the chairperson of Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), on Wednesday praised the outcome of Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations as the result of long-running, persistent talks focused on national interests.
'The parties concerned made earnest efforts within the framework of the negotiations and achieved a successful outcome,' Tsutsui told reporters.
Tsutsui said he was greatly concerned about automobile tariffs, as they will have a significant impact on the broad-based automobile industry, including related businesses. 'But I want to praise the reduction in the tariffs as a positive outcome of the talks,' he said.
At the same time, however, Tsutsui said a 'reciprocal tariff' of 15% is 'by no means low, considering the domestic economy.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Trump, EU's von der Leyen meet to clinch trade deal, rating chances 50-50
Trump, EU's von der Leyen meet to clinch trade deal, rating chances 50-50

Nikkei Asia

time3 hours ago

  • Nikkei Asia

Trump, EU's von der Leyen meet to clinch trade deal, rating chances 50-50

TURNBERRY, Scotland (Reuters) -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met with U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday to clinch a trade deal that would likely result in a 15% tariff on most European Union goods but end months of uncertainty for EU companies. U.S. and EU negotiators huddled in final talks on tariffs facing crucial sectors like cars, steel, aluminum and pharmaceuticals before the meeting began at Trump's golf course in Turnberry, western Scotland. Trump, who had earlier played a round with his son, told reporters as he met with von der Leyen that he wanted to correct a trading arrangement he said was "very unfair to the United States" and repeated his comments from Friday that the chances of a U.S.-EU deal were 50-50, a view echoed by von der Leyen. "We have three or four sticking points I'd rather not get into. The main sticking point is fairness," he said, insisting the EU had to open up to American products. Von der Leyen acknowledged there was a need for "rebalancing" EU-U.S. trade. "We have a surplus, the United States has a deficit and we have to rebalance it ... we will make it more sustainable," she said. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who flew to Scotland on Saturday, told "Fox News Sunday" that the EU needed to open its markets for more U.S. exports to convince Trump to reduce a threatened 30% tariff rate that is due to kick in on Aug. 1. "The question is, do they offer President Trump a good enough deal that is worth it for him to step off of the 30% tariffs that he set?" Lutnick said, adding that the EU clearly wanted -- and needed -- to reach an agreement. A separate U.S. administration official was upbeat that a deal was possible. "We're cautiously optimistic that there will be a deal reached," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "But it's not over till it's over." The EU deal would be a huge prize, given that the U.S. and EU are each other's largest trading partners by far and account for a third of global trade in goods and services. Ambassadors of EU governments, on a weekend trip to Greenland organized by the Danish presidency of the EU, held a teleconference with European Commission officials on Sunday to agree on the amount of leeway von der Leyen would have. In case there is no deal and the U.S. imposes 30% tariffs from Aug. 1, the EU has prepared countertariffs on 93 billion euros ($109 billion) of U.S. goods. EU diplomats have said a deal would likely include a broad 15% tariff on EU goods imported into the U.S., mirroring the U.S.-Japan trade deal, along with a 50% tariff on European steel and aluminum for which there could be export quotas. EU officials are hopeful that a 15% baseline tariff would also apply to cars, replacing the current 27.5% auto tariff. Some expect the 27-nation bloc may be able to secure exemptions from the 15% baseline tariff for its aerospace industry and for spirits, though probably not for wine. The EU could also pledge to buy more liquefied natural gas from the U.S., a long-standing offer, and boost investment in the United States. Trump told reporters there was "not a lot" of wiggle room on the 50% tariffs that the U.S. has on steel and aluminum imports, adding that "because if I do it for one, I have to do it for all." The U.S. president, in Scotland for a few days of golfing and bilateral meetings, said a deal with the EU should draw to a close discussions on tariffs but also said pharmaceuticals, for which the United States is looking into new tariffs, would not be part of a deal. The EU now faces U.S. tariffs on more than 70% of its exports, with 50% on steel and aluminum, an extra 25% on cars and car parts on top of the existing 2.5%, and a 10% levy on most other EU goods. EU officials have said a "no-deal" tariff rate of 30% would wipe out whole chunks of transatlantic commerce. A 15% tariff on most EU goods would remove uncertainty but would be seen by many in Europe as a poor outcome compared to the initial European ambition of a zero-for-zero tariff deal on all industrial goods. Seeking to learn from Japan, which secured a 15% baseline tariff with the U.S. in a deal almost a week ago, EU negotiators spoke to their Japanese counterparts in preparation for Sunday's meeting. For Trump, aiming to reorder the global economy and reduce decades-old U.S. trade deficits, a deal with the EU would be the biggest trade agreement, surpassing the $550 billion deal with Japan. So far, he has reeled in agreements with Britain, Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam, although his administration has failed to deliver on a promise of "90 deals in 90 days."

Use of deceased's person's savings for cremation allowed without heirs' consent
Use of deceased's person's savings for cremation allowed without heirs' consent

Japan Times

time12 hours ago

  • Japan Times

Use of deceased's person's savings for cremation allowed without heirs' consent

The government has notified municipalities and financial institutions that they are now allowed to use the savings of deceased people to cover burial or cremation fees without their heirs' consent, sources said. This is aimed at reducing the financial burden on municipalities, which have shouldered burial or cremation costs when a deceased person's savings deposits could not be used. The measure comes as the number of people dying alone increases. Reflecting lifestyle changes and other circumstances, the proportion of single-person households in Japan rose from 25.6% in 1995 to 38.0% in 2020. Among elderly people age 65 and over, the share of such households jumped from 5.0% to 12.1%. Over 105,000 people died with no one to take care of their remains between April 2018 and October 2021, according to the internal affairs ministry. Under the current law, burial or cremation costs for people who die alone will be paid using their savings deposits, and any shortfalls will be covered by municipalities. However, whether the deceased person's deposits could be used has depended on coordination between municipalities and financial institutions. Municipalities have been denied access to savings accounts in some cases because there were no heirs, and they were required to submit various documents in other cases. In light of this situation, the welfare ministry has revised the guidelines for handling money left by people who died alone, including a new document format for municipalities to submit to financial institutions. The revised guidelines also state that the heirs' consent is not necessary to withdraw the deceased's deposits to pay burial or cremation fees. The central government has been considering this issue since 34 local governments asked for a clarification of related rules in 2024 as part of decentralization reform.

US tariff deadline, BOJ monetary policy, Nintendo earnings
US tariff deadline, BOJ monetary policy, Nintendo earnings

Nikkei Asia

time14 hours ago

  • Nikkei Asia

US tariff deadline, BOJ monetary policy, Nintendo earnings

Welcome to Your Week in Asia. With several countries in Asia having now secured tariff deals with the U.S. -- even as details remain scarce or disputed for many of them -- the pressure is on those that haven't, with U.S. President Donald Trump's latest deadline for negotiations now just days away. The trade dislocations unleashed by Trump will be among the factors weighing on central bankers from the U.S., Singapore and Japan this week as they decide how to act on interest rates. Get the best of our coverage of Asia and much more by following us on X, where our handle is @NikkeiAsia. We are also now on Bluesky, with the handle @ MONDAY Marcos national address Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address, an annual event typically used to underscore the government's accomplishments and outline policy. Last year, Marcos Jr. notably condemned China's maritime aggression and ordered a ban on offshore gambling. This year, his address takes place against a backdrop of heightened domestic political turbulence and pressing economic concerns. U.S.-China talks The U.S. and China begin their third round of talks in Stockholm amid a possible extension of their trade truce beyond the Aug.12 deadline. Washington plans to raise issues including China's industrial overcapacity, economic imbalances and continued oil purchases from Iran and Russia. China, on the other hand, says it will seek to "enhance consensus, reduce misunderstandings and strengthen cooperation" with the U.S. Earnings: Singapore Airlines TUESDAY IPO: Oxford Innotech Earnings: ANA WEDNESDAY Fed rate decision The U.S. Federal Reserve will conclude its two-day meeting and reach its latest monetary policy decision. Markets do not expect a rate cut in the meeting, but all eyes are on Chair Jerome Powell's news conference. Market watchers will be seeking clues on the next rate cut, as well as any response to Trump's strong criticisms of the Fed chair. Singapore monetary policy statement Singapore's central bank will announce its monetary policy statement, with some economists expecting further easing, given a forecast economic slowdown in the second half of the year driven by ongoing U.S. tariff uncertainties. The city-state predicts its economy will grow between zero and 2% this year. Nissan earnings Nissan Motor will release its April-to-June results. The company is expected to update investors about progress in its business restructuring and how much its bottom line has been affected by the 25% automotive tariffs set by the U.S. Earnings: JAL, Kansai Electric Data: Philippines trade, Sri Lanka inflation THURSDAY BOJ monetary policy The Bank of Japan wraps up its two-day policy meeting. While market participants expect the central bank to hold interest rates steady, the focus will be on what Gov. Kazuo Ueda says in the wake of the upper house election and the Japan-U.S. trade deal. The BOJ will also release its latest inflation and economic outlook. Earnings: Apple, Sumitomo, Grab, Keppel, Siam Cement, SK Innovation, JERA FRIDAY U.S. tariff deadline After a monthslong pause, Trump is set to impose varying tariff rates on dozens of countries, although some have made arrangements with Washington to lower the U.S. duty rate, although details have yet to be revealed. Governments that have not reached a deal with the U.S. will be slapped with a steep, country-specific tariff rate, which will likely increase costs for U.S. households. Nintendo earnings Nintendo releases its April-to-June earnings following the release of its Switch 2 game console in June. Investors are eager to hear an update on Switch 2 sales, as well as how it is contributing to the company's finances. Other earnings: Nippon Steel, Marubeni, Itochu, OCBC, Mitsui & Co, Tata Power

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store