Japan’s Carmakers Absorbing Tariffs May Bolster Trump Position

Toyota RAV4 compact crossover vehicles.

Photographer: Akio Kon/Bloomberg

Japanese carmakers have largely absorbed the cost of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on auto imports, a move that may undermine the Asian nation’s negotiating power ahead of a July 9 deadline that will see duties rocket even higher.

So far, just three of Japan’s six major automakers have raised prices in the US, and only Subaru Corp.’s hike has come close to the 25% tariff imposed on imported vehicles.