Japan policy chief warns of Trump tariff impact on Asian security

29/4/2025 6:22

The policy chief of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Monday called on U.S. President Donald Trump to reconsider his plans for reciprocal tariffs, saying they could negatively impact Indo-Pacific security.



Former defense minister Itsunori Onodera said Tokyo was particularly concerned by the effect in Southeast Asia, shown by the current visit there by Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.



Speaking at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, Onodera warned that countries of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations "may become more distant" from the U.S. because the tariffs.



"That's a concern that we have," he said, speaking via an interpreter. "I hope... the Trump tariffs will be reconsidered."



Trump hit Japan with 24% tariffs on its exports to the U.S. and ASEAN nations also have been targeted, although, like most of the levies, they were paused until July to allow for negotiations. A 10% universal rate remains in place, as does a 25% duty on cars, a mainstay of Japan's export-heavy economy.