Trump Threatens Tariffs, Cites Japan’s Refusal to Buy American Rice

A new trade clash is emerging, this time between the United States and Japan. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened fresh tariffs on Japanese goods, accusing Tokyo of refusing to purchase American-grown rice. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “They won’t take our rice and yet they have a massive rice shortage. 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.”

Misleading Claims on Rice Imports

However, the claim appears to be misleading. In reality, Japan imported nearly $298 million worth of U.S. rice last year, and between January and April this year, the figure already stands at $114 million.

Root of the Dispute

So, what is fueling the dispute? A 2021 U.S. trade report pointed to Japan’s highly regulated and non-transparent rice import system, which restricts direct access for American rice exporters to Japanese consumers. Analysts suggest this is what Trump’s post was likely referencing.

Tariff Threats and Deadlines

This warning comes just days before the July 9 deadline of Trump’s 90-day pause on what he terms “reciprocal tariffs.” Before the pause, Japanese exports were subject to a steep 24% minimum tariff, which currently stands at 10%—a rate that could potentially double if new sanctions are imposed.

Comparison to Canada’s Trade Dispute

Japan is not alone in facing Trump’s renewed tariff threats. Just last week, he targeted Canada over its proposed 3% digital services tax on U.S. tech firms. In response, Trump ended trade negotiations. The move led to a swift reversal—Canada scrapped the tax, and talks resumed. Whether this same pressure tactic will be effective against Japan remains to be seen.