White House, Washington. July 7, 2025 Respected Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Japanese Prime Minister Tokyo Your Excellency the Prime Minister: I am honored to write this letter to you, which reflects the stability and commitment of our trade relationship, and also indicates that despite the significant trade deficit between the United States and Japan, the United States is willing to continue cooperating with Japan. However, we have decided to continue moving forward with your country only on the premise of more balanced and fair trade. Therefore, we sincerely invite your country to participate in the extraordinary economy of the United States, the world's largest market. We have been discussing the US Japan trade relationship for many years and have come to the conclusion that we must abandon these long-standing and highly persistent trade deficits caused by Japan's tariff, non-tariff policies, and trade barriers. Unfortunately, our trade relationship is no longer reciprocal. Starting from August 1, 2025, the United States will impose a uniform tariff of 25% on all Japanese exports to the United States (excluding industry-specific tariffs). Any goods attempting to evade the tariff through transit through a third country will also be subject to a higher tax rate. Please understand that this 25% tariff is far below the level required to bridge the trade deficit between the United States and Japan. As you know, if Japanese or your country's companies decide to build factories or produce related products within the United States, they will not be subject to this tariff. In fact, we will make every effort to expedite the approval process quickly, professionally, and routinely - in other words, it can be completed in just a few weeks. If your country decides to increase tariffs on American goods for any reason, the United States will add a corresponding percentage on top of the established 25%, regardless of how much is imposed. Please understand that the United States has taken this series of tariff measures to correct Japan's unsustainable trade deficit caused by tariffs, non-tariff policies, and trade barriers over the years. This trade deficit has become a major threat to the US economy and even national security.