Honda To Move Civic Production To The US To Avoid Import Duties

Honda Motor will move some of its domestic production to the United States as Japan aims to deal with 24 percent tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, Kyodo News reported Wednesday.

The automaker’s decision came as Japan sent its economic revitalisation minister, Akazawa Ryosei, to the U.S. for tariff talks. The minister said he was “ready to hold talks to protect the national interest.”

The Japanese minister will hold talks with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Akazawa said on Tuesday that Japanese companies’ profits are falling every day and that the government will work hard to achieve good results as soon as possible.

Earlier, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Tokyo “will not compromise” to rush through tariff negotiations with the US.

The Trump administration has imposed 24 percent tariffs on imports from Japan, particularly affecting sales of cars, steel, and aluminum, but is currently trying to negotiate with Washington after the US president granted a 90-day reprieve to all but China, which is most affected by the tariffs.

Trump imposed a base tariff of 10 percent on all nations, and imports from China now face tariffs of up to 245 percent, the White House said.

Tokyo has repeatedly called on Washington to exempt Japan from the tariffs. Separately, an Indonesian delegation also travelled to the United States on Wednesday to meet with American officials after the Trump administration imposed a 32 percent tariff on goods from Jakarta.

South Korean Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is also expected to meet with Besant next week.

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