While the European Union has indicated it may implement countermeasures if the US administration moves forward with proposed 30% tariffs on EU exports, Japan has signaled it does not plan to take similar action in response to potential tariffs on its own exports.

A Japanese government official stated that Japan has no intention of altering its relationship with the United States, adding that the goal is to maintain cooperation and seek mutually beneficial outcomes.

“We have no intention to change the Japan-US ally relationship. We will cooperate with the United States to make a win-win situation,” the official said in a statement to ABC News.

The proposed tariff on Japanese exports was adjusted slightly in July, increasing from 24% to 25% following the US administration’s recent communication. Japan’s automobile sector, which exports major brands such as Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Subaru, and Mazda to the US, has already felt the impact of existing tariffs.

“We continue to discuss this with the US administration at the minister level,” the official added. “We explain and request that these matters remain part of ministerial discussions.”

Since the initial announcement of possible tariffs, Japan has focused on maintaining steady diplomatic dialogue, encouraging further investment in the US, and exercising patience.

According to the official, Japanese leaders have met with US counterparts seven times since Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s first meeting with President Trump at the White House in February. The two leaders also met on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada in June.

Ishiba was the second world leader to visit the White House following Trump’s inauguration.

Hideo Kumano, chief economist at Dai-ichi Life Research Institute, cautioned that if the proposed tariffs are fully implemented on Japanese goods, they could increase economic challenges for Japan, potentially leading to a recession.

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