As the US president's tariff policy reverberates through the automotive market, this article examines the imbalance in Japan-US trade surrounding Japanese vehicle exports to the United States. It factually organizes the additional tariffs and subsequent revisions, their impact on prices, and automakers' responses.
US President Trump has announced a policy of strengthening tariffs, affecting the global economy. As the products subject to tariffs and specific rates are considered and implemented, attention is focused on developments in the automotive industry, which places importance on the US market.
The additional tariff on automobiles was added to the existing 2.5% tariff, bringing the total tariff to 27.5% from 3 April. Following subsequent negotiations, the tariff on vehicles imported from Japan was revised to 15% (in September 2025).
Higher tariffs could push up vehicle prices. A simple calculation suggests that a vehicle previously priced at $20,000 could rise to approximately $25,000, raising concerns that higher selling prices could affect demand. On the other hand, exporters may consider lowering export prices in some cases to avoid price increases in the US market.
In many cases, local subsidiaries of automakers export vehicles to the US market, meaning that higher tariffs directly affect manufacturing costs and sales strategies. Both Japanese automakers and US companies such as Ford, GM and Tesla could be affected.
As new information emerges, companies' responses, including their sales strategies in the United States and the structure of their local dealer networks, are expected to be a focus going forward.