Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-07-19 10:05Group 1 - Trump's announcement to increase tariffs on almost all Japanese goods from 10% to 25% starting August 1 has significant implications for Japanese exporters [1][3] - Japanese automobile exports to the U.S. saw a dramatic decline of 26.7% in June, with companies like Toyota and Honda facing pressure to raise prices, resulting in a profit reduction of 30% [1][3] - The increase in tariffs could lead to a loss of $3,125 in profit per vehicle for Japanese automakers, potentially causing Japan's GDP to decline by 0.2%, which is substantial given the previous year's growth of only 0.1% [3][6] Group 2 - Analysts predict that if Japanese companies attempt to pass on tariff costs to U.S. consumers, sales could drop by 8% to 26%, further squeezing profits by 6% to 59% [6] - The appreciation of the yen exacerbates the situation, with every 1 yen increase resulting in a loss of 50 billion yen for Toyota [6] - Japanese officials, including Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, have taken a firm stance against U.S. demands, emphasizing the importance of protecting key industries such as agriculture and automotive [6][9] Group 3 - Japan's reliance on the U.S. market is significant, with Japanese cars accounting for one-third of the U.S. automotive market, indicating that a withdrawal could lead to higher prices for American consumers [8][9] - Japan has potential countermeasures, including selling off U.S. Treasury bonds and accelerating free trade talks with China and South Korea [9]