Toyota to Tell Trump Japan Will Import Cars Made by Its U.S. Subsidiary

Toyota Motor Corp. is expected to inform the U.S. government of plans to import into Japan vehicles it produces in the United States, a source familiar with the matter said, with the company set to do so when President Donald Trump visits Tokyo, Kyodo News reported.

Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda is expected to attend a meeting between the U.S. president and Japanese business leaders.

Toyota has been weighing the option of shipping U.S.-built vehicles to its home market in an effort to help reduce the U.S. trade deficit.

“We are considering (such imports) as one idea,” Toyota Chief Executive Koji Sato said after a meeting of the Japan Business Federation.

Trump is scheduled to visit Japan for three days this month, and Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda is expected to attend a meeting between the U.S. president and Japanese business leaders.

In April, the Trump administration imposed a 27.5% tariff on foreign-made cars, up from the previous 2.5%, in an effort to narrow the country’s trade deficit. The rate on vehicles from Japan was later negotiated down to 15% in September.

In 2023, auto exports accounted for about 30% of Japan’s total exports to the United States — the largest share of any sector. Nissan Motor Co. is also considering importing vehicles manufactured in the U.S. for sale in Japan, Mainichi Japan reported.