US President Donald Trump’s announcement of “reciprocal” tariffs has forced the Ishiba government to scramble to assess their impact and prepare an effective response that limits the impact on Japan’s economy.
The Ishiba government is still hoping to negotiate with the United States instead of introducing retaliatory measures.
The new tariffs are a blow to Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru but he could benefit from a “rally around the flag” as a sense of crisis grows.
