Trump Calls Out Japan Over "Unfair" Auto Trade, Urges More U.S. Imports

President Donald Trump criticized Japan’s trade practices in a recent Fox News interview, calling its auto trade with the U.S. “unfair” and demanding Tokyo increase imports of American goods to help narrow the trade deficit. Trump pointed out that while millions of Japanese cars enter the U.S. annually, Japan remains resistant to buying American vehicles.

“They won’t take our cars, and yet we take millions and millions of their cars,” Trump said on Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo. “It’s not fair, and I explained that to Japan, and they understand it. Now we have oil. They could take a lot of oil, they could take a lot of other things.”

The U.S.-Japan trade gap remains significant, with automobiles making up nearly 28% of Japan’s $145 billion in exports to the U.S. last year. Trump’s comments come amid mounting pressure on Tokyo to secure exemptions from proposed 25% auto tariffs that threaten Japan’s car industry. Without a deal, Japan also faces an additional 24% “reciprocal tariff” set to begin on July 9.

Japanese officials are seeking a resolution to avoid economic fallout from the U.S. tariffs, which could deal a serious blow to the country’s export-driven economy. Trump’s push for increased Japanese imports of American oil and other products aligns with his broader effort to address trade imbalances and protect domestic manufacturing.

The renewed focus on auto tariffs adds to ongoing tensions in U.S.-Japan trade relations, with Tokyo aiming to preserve market access while avoiding retaliatory measures. As the deadline approaches, both sides are under pressure to reach a compromise that balances economic interests and political agendas.