'Insane': Trump's Baffling New Comments On Japan Leave Critics Aghast
President Donald Trump suggested new tariffs on Japan ― but then spaced on the name of the nation's leader.
Trump told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo he would be sending out letters as his pause on tariffs ends early next month, and cited Japan as an example.
Rather than name Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba ― who he met in February at the White House ― Trump appeared to improvise as he described the letter.
'Dear Mr. Japan: Here's the story,' Trump said. 'You're going to pay a 25% tariff on your cars.'
He said it's 'not fair' that the United States takes 'millions and millions' of Japanese cars, while Japan takes comparatively few cars from U.S. automakers.
'They won't take our cars,' Trump said, and suggested that Japan could fix that deficit with other purchases from the United States, such as oil.
Trump has said in the past that his tariffs are a way to get companies, including overseas companies, to increase production in the United States.
'My message to every business in the world is very simple: Come make your product in America, and we will give you among the lowest taxes of any nation on Earth,' Trump said in January.
However, the vast majority of Japanese cars sold in the United States are already built in the United States, making them less likely to be impacted by the threat of new tariffs.
But it was the opening of his hypothetical letter to Japanese leaders ― the 'Dear Mr. Japan' ― that got his critics fired up on X:
Dear Mr Japan? Trump doesn't know what or who he is talking about https://t.co/F1cloDNDEk
— Barbara Comstock (@BarbaraComstock) June 29, 2025
If President Biden started a sentence with "Dear Mr. Japan," Republicans would never shut up about it and "25th Amendment" is all they'd be talking about.This is fucking INSANE. pic.twitter.com/uNPuNEV7yR
— BrooklynDad_Defiant!☮️ (@mmpadellan) June 29, 2025
Imagine if Joe Biden forgot the name of the Japanese prime minister and called him Mr Japan. I'm sure everyone would be really normal about it.
— Centrism Fan Acct 🔹 (@Wilson__Valdez) June 29, 2025
Fact: Japan manufactures more cars in US than it imports to US. Japan has some $700 billion invested in US, employs close to 1 million Americans.Ignorance is strength. https://t.co/TgYkgGGO2Z
— Robert Manning (@Rmanning4) June 29, 2025
BREAKING: Trump has no clue who the Prime Minister of Japan is so he calls him 'Mr. Japan' in the interview. How can you negotiate with somebody if you don't know their name? pic.twitter.com/saKnV6NEFP
— Trump Lie Tracker (Commentary) (@MAGALieTracker) June 29, 2025
The same conversation in which he said, "I'm going to send letters, that's the end of the trade deal. I could send one to Japan. Dear Mr. Japan..." His brain is peanut butter.
— Leslie Jones (@Spiker715) June 29, 2025
"Dear Mr. Japan"Is Jake Tapper in the house?
— Bo Gardiner (@BoGardiner1) June 29, 2025
Dear Mr. Japan? pic.twitter.com/eUQZBlhv9D
— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) June 29, 2025
For the millionth time:(1) "We" don't give Japan cars - private companies make and endeavor to sell them. And private Japanese individuals, not "Japan," have been decling to buy them.(2) Japan pays US tariffs with the money given by American citizens when they buy those cars. https://t.co/HtTGyg46Al
— Michael Hausam (@MPHaus) June 29, 2025
Dear Mr. Japan, while hilarious, is like what in the fuck? https://t.co/nvxkIf6z2t
— Jason Diamond (@jasondiamond) June 29, 2025
this dude really said 'dear mr japan' https://t.co/E7zyKzJDAT
— sane (@sanelofi) June 30, 2025
Who tf is Mr. Japan https://t.co/keqYdSATM3
— Jen Monroe (@thatjenmonroe) June 29, 2025
Domo arrigato mr. Roboto
— Mark Stephen Levy ✍️ (@TheRealMarkLevy) June 29, 2025
Dear Mr Japan, here's the story...If he wasn't the leader of the free world and, as such wasn't embarrassing our entire country, this shit would be hilarious https://t.co/Mgja1qSh2s
— MothGrrrrl 🩷💛💙🏳️🌈 (@Be_la74071) June 29, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bloomberg
32 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
Macau Gaming Revenue Soars Past Estimate on Concert Fervor
Macau's monthly gaming revenue rose 19% in June, exceeding analyst expectations as visitors poured in to the world's biggest gambling hub for Cantonese pop concerts and other entertainment offerings. Gross gaming revenue reached 21.1 billion patacas ($2.6 billion) for the month, according to data released by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau on Tuesday. That was better than the median analyst estimate of a 9.4% year-on-year increase, and marks a return to 88% of the pre-pandemic level seen in 2019.
Forbes
32 minutes ago
- Forbes
Musk-Trump Feud Reignites As Billionaire Attacks Spending Bill Backers
The feud between President Donald Trump and his former ally, Elon Musk, was reignited once again on Tuesday after the world's richest person said he'll back primary challenges against GOP lawmakers voting for the president's signature spending bill, prompting Trump to retaliate by threatening to scrap government subsidies for Musk's firms. Elon Musk looks on during a news conference with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the ... More White House in Washington. AFP via Getty Images Musk attacked the spending bill in a series of post on X on Monday night and early Tuesday morning, saying: 'Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending,' and backed the mega bill 'will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth.' The billionaire then tweeted, 'If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day,' as he bashed what he described as the 'Democrat-Republican uniparty.' Musk later said that anyone who votes for the legislation after campaigning 'on the PROMISE of REDUCING SPENDING' will see their face on a poster of Pinocchio with the caption 'LIAR' followed by the text 'Voted to increase America's Debt by $5,000,000,000,000.' The X owner reshared the results of an unscientific poll he conducted on the platform last month during his public blow-up with the president and wrote 'VOX POPULI VOX DEI 80% voted for a new party.' Earlier on Monday, Musk had attacked the GOP and the spending bill, tweeting: 'It is obvious with the insane spending of this bill, which increases the debt ceiling by a record FIVE TRILLION DOLLARS that we live in a one-party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY!!' This is a developing story.
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
PHC Announces Exclusive Distribution of MaxCyte® ExPERT™ Platform in Japan
-- Enabling Scalable, Non-Viral Cell Engineering for Research, Biomanufacturing, and Therapeutic Development -- TOKYO, July 01, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Biomedical Division of PHC Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Nobuaki Nakamura; hereafter referred to as "PHCbi"), a subsidiary of PHC Holdings Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, hereafter referred to as "PHCHD") announces it has signed an exclusive agreement with MaxCyte, Inc. to distribute the MaxCyte ExPERT platform(*1) in Japan. In Singapore, SciMed (Asia) Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of PHCHD, separately entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with MaxCyte and launched the ExPERT platform in the country in June. MaxCyte is a leading, cell-engineering focused company providing enabling platform technologies to advance the discovery, development and commercialization of next-generation cell therapeutics. Under this partnership, PHCbi will offer sales and service support for MaxCyte's instruments, consumables, and solutions, providing researchers and manufacturers with access to a clinically proven, non-viral cell engineering platform. MaxCyte's ExPERT instrument portfolio is the next generation of leading, clinically and commercially validated electroporation technology for complex and scalable cell engineering. By enabling high transfection efficiency and cell viability, seamless scalability and enhanced functionality, the ExPERT platform delivers the high-end performance essential to enabling the next wave of biological and cellular therapeutics. PHCbi will distribute and support the full range of MaxCyte platforms covered under this agreement, including the ExPERT ATx®, ExPERT STx®, ExPERT GTx® and ExPERT VLx® as well as related consumables such as processing assemblies and electroporation buffers. These platforms are used by researchers worldwide and have been referenced in more than 70 clinical programs as of Q1 2025. Chikara Takauo, Director of PHC Corporation and General Manager of PHCbi, commented: "We are pleased to add the MaxCyte's ExPERT instruments to our cell culture technology portfolio. Guided by our vision of 'contributing to the evolution and progress of therapeutic modalities,' we are committed to expanding new solutions that address the challenges of QCD (Quality, Cost, and Delivery) in cell and gene therapy (CGT) manufacturing processes. The addition of MaxCyte's ExPERT portoflio allows us to better support scientists and cell therapy developers by providing them with a powerful, non-viral tool to advance their cell-based research and development processes and ultimately accelerate the adoption of CGT." The addition of MaxCyte's ExPERT platform complements PHCbi's ongoing efforts to further enhance the efficiency of CGT development and manufacturing processes while improving cell quality and safety. PHCbi recently introduced the LiCellMoTM live-cell metabolic analyzer(*2) for research use, incorporating PHC's core In-Line Monitoring technology. In addition, PHCbi is developing the LiCellGrowTM cell expansion system, which is being designed to optimize the cell culture environment by automatically exchanging culture medium based on the metabolic state of cells. Together with the MaxCyte's platform, these solutions reflect PHCbi's commitment to delivering comprehensive support for researchers and developers working in areas such as regenerative medicine, immunotherapy, and bioproduction as well as accelerating cell-based innovation in Japan and Singapore. PHCbi will showcase the ExPERT Platform at the 7th Regenerative Medicine EXPO Tokyo 2025 in Japan, which will be held at Japan's Tokyo Big Sight from July 9 to July 11, 2025. 7th Regenerative Medicine EXPO Tokyo 2025Dates: July 9 (Wed.) - 11 (Fri.), 2025Venue: Tokyo Big Sight Japan, West Exhibition Halls (PHCbi Booth No.: W5-30)Official Website: INTERPHEX Week Tokyo / Regenerative Medicine Expo Tokyo (*1) Product information: MaxCyte's instruments are not classified as a medical device. (*2) Product information: Live Cell Metabolic Analyzer | PHCbi About the Biomedical Division of PHC CorporationEstablished in 1969, PHC Corporation is a Japanese subsidiary of PHC Holdings Corporation (TSE 6523), a global healthcare company that develops, manufactures, sells, and services solutions across diabetes management, healthcare solutions, life sciences and diagnostics. The Biomedical Division supports the life sciences industry helping researchers and healthcare providers in around 110 countries and regions through its PHCbi-branded laboratory and equipment and services including CO2 incubators and ultra-low temperature About PHC Holdings Corporation (PHC Group)PHC Holdings Corporation (TSE 6523) is a global healthcare company with a mission of contributing to the health of society through healthcare solutions that have a positive impact and improve the lives of people. Its subsidiaries (referred to collectively as PHC Group) include PHC Corporation, Ascensia Diabetes Care, Epredia, LSI Medience Corporation, Wemex and Mediford. Together, these companies develop, manufacture, sell and service solutions across diabetes management, healthcare solutions, diagnostics and life sciences. PHC Group's consolidated net sales in FY2024 were JPY 361.6 billion with global distribution of products and services in more than 125 About SciMed (Asia) Pte LtdSciMed (Asia) Pte Ltd, headquartered in Singapore, is an established and leading provider of products and services for biomedical, life sciences, healthcare, drug discovery, pharmaceutical, laboratories, industrial tests, and agricultural markets. SciMed has become the wholly owned subsidiary of PHC Holdings Corporation in 2023, advancing sales and marketing in life sciences business across Southeast Asia, India, and About MaxCyte, MaxCyte, we are committed to building better cells together. As a leading cell-engineering company, we are driving the discovery, development and commercialization of next-generation cell therapies. Our best-in-class Flow Electroporation™ technology and SeQure DX™ gene editing risk assessment services enable precise, efficient and scalable cell engineering. Supported by expert scientific, technical and regulatory guidance, our platform empowers researchers from around the world to engineer diverse cell types and payloads, accelerating the development of safe and effective treatments for human health. For more than 25 years, we've been advancing cell engineering, shaping the future of medicine. Learn more at and follow us on X and LinkedIn. View source version on Contacts Contact for media inquiries:Investor Relations & Corporate Communications DepartmentPHC Holdings CorporationTEL: +81-3-6778-5311E-mail: phc-pr@ Contact for product and service:Marketing Department, Biomedical Division PHC CorporationE-mail: Sign in to access your portfolio
