SUMMARY
President Trump crashed a trade meeting with Japanese officials in Washington, showing he’s calling the shots on his tariff blitz. Japan sent Economic Revitalisation Minister Ryosei Akazawa to face Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, but Trump posted on Truth Social at 8 a.m. ET, “Japan is coming in today to negotiate Tariffs, the cost of military support, and ‘TRADE FAIRNESS’…I will attend the meeting, along with Treasury & Commerce Secretaries.” Japan’s hit with a paused 24% tariff, a 10% universal rate, and a 25% car duty—painful for its auto-heavy exports worth $148.2 billion to the U.S. in 2024. Trump’s pushing talks on military costs for 54,000 U.S. troops in Japan and exchange rates, despite Tokyo’s denial of yen manipulation. Bessent sees a “first mover advantage” with 75+ countries lining up. Japan’s PM Shigeru Ishiba won’t budge easily, ruling out big concessions on April 14. “The U.S. is offering to not hit Japan with sticks, and Japan’s stuck offering carrots,”
