Trump wants Japan to import our rice to reduce the trade deficit, but consumers hate it

Japan is one of more than 20 countries Receive messages this week The US President is to warn of “mutual” definitions from August 1 to the failure of a trade agreement with Washington.

The 25 percent tax for Japan is separate from the fees similar to cars, steel and aluminum that have already been imposed.

Trump wants to obtain Japanese companies to manufacture more in the United States, and to Petocio to buy more American goods – especially gas, cars, cars and rice – to reduce the $ 70 billion trade deficit with the Asian force.

“I have great respect for Japan, and they will not take our rice, yet they have a great shortage of rice,” Trump said on the social fact on June 30.

Rice, though, is a little good in the great plan for bilateral works between countries.

BMI Fitch Solutions said it represents only 0.37 percent of American exports to Japan, and that even a double will have a “little” impact on the total trade.

“The Trump administration seems more interested in the optics of amazing deals more than the American trade deficit is useful,” said BMI.

For Japan, the imports of imports can be swallowed if the economic impact is considered only.

It may be worth it if this privilege can reduce or even remove the 25 percent Trump tariff for Japanese cars.

The lost majority

But Rice’s policy is fraught with Aishiba, whose ruling alliance lost its majority in the lower parliament elections in October.

On July 20, the House of Representatives elections can witness a similar vision, which may lead Ishiba to quit smoking, 10 months after the long -term liberal Democratic Party head (LDP).

Rice Japan occupies a dear place in Japanese national culture – the Samurai used to reputation to be pushed into it.

Dependence on imports – at the present time, all consumer rice is locally cultivated by many as a national insult to a country of 124 million people, and is risky.

“Xinichi Katayama, the fourth generation of Tokyo Rice, a generation trader, Jeel Rice, told AFP:” culturally and historically, the Japanese revolve around Rice, “Xinichi Katayama, the owner of the wholesaler in Tokyo Rice, 120 -year -old, told Sombada.

He said: “I personally welcome an additional choice for Japanese consumers. But I also feel the step (leaving a lot of foreign rice) is very early from the point of view of food security.”

“If we are relying on rice imports, we may face a decrease again when something happens.”

While Japan is already importing rice from the United States, many consumers see foreign and long grains as doubtful quality and lack the desired adhesion of local short rice.

Bad memories remaining when Japan suffered from a cold summer in 1993 and had to import large quantities of grains from Thailand.

Soyo Matsumoto, 69, who helps families in which children hear, said that the American rice “tastes terrible. It lacks sticks.”

“If they (the Americans) want to export to Japan, they must work in it. They must think about the preference of the consumer,” he told Tokyo.

No sacrifice

As a result, the Ishiba government was in the pain of saying that it would not bow from the issue – although this might change after the elections.

“We have no intention to sacrifice agriculture in future negotiations,” said the chief minister of cabinet, Yoshimasa Hayshi, said recently.

“Ishiba is going on a narrow panel, cautious against stimulating strong local pressure such as rice farmers, while wandering in the approval classification that would make aggressive commercial movements fraught with risks politically,” said Stephen Ins at Spi Asset Management.

The government has already been criticized for the high prices of recent rice, which has almost doubled in 12 months.

Factors include a very hot summer in 2023, buying panic after a “megaquake” warning in 2024, alleged biopsy by some merchants, and an increase in tourists associated with rice.

To help relieve pain, Tokyo takes advantage of emergency stocks, and imports rose sharply – led by California rice – but these are still small compared to local production.

“All these problems with rice prices show that the policy of agriculture in the liberal Democratic Party has failed,” retired Yasunari Wakasa, 77, told AFP.