Trump's automobile tariffs have caused a stir in Japanese politics! Senior members of the Liberal Democratic Party warned that it could lead to a nationwide economic crisis.

"This could become a major economic crisis for Japan." At an internal party seminar, Onodera Itsunori, a senior member of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, made a startling statement, directly pointing to the tariff threat posed by the Trump administration. This veteran politician, who once served as Defense Minister, particularly emphasized that the automotive sector, due to its massive supply chain network, will be in the "eye of the storm within the eye of the storm," with the impact expected to spread throughout Japan. As the deadline for the April 3rd imposition of automobile tariffs approaches, anxiety in Japan continues to rise. Japan annually exports 1.45 million vehicles to the U.S. through Canada and Mexico, a figure only slightly lower than the direct exports to the U.S. of 1.49 million vehicles. What is even more concerning is that the 3.3 million vehicles produced by Japanese car manufacturers on North American soil could also be caught in the tariff whirlpool, meaning that the entire Japanese automobile industry, from Toyota Motor Corp. to Honda Motor Co., Ltd., will be severely affected. Facing an imminent crisis, Japanese Trade Minister Muto Yoji is working on multiple fronts to find a way out. On one hand, he is negotiating with the U.S. to seek exemptions, while on the other hand, he is considering providing cash flow support to domestic companies. However, reality is harsh - Japan heavily relies on the United States to balance China in terms of security, leaving Japan feeling constrained in its trade countermeasures. It is worth noting that this trade storm comes at a time when Sino-Japanese relations are warming up. At the recent trilateral foreign ministers' meeting of China, Japan, and South Korea, Muto once again called for the establishment of fair trade rules, while China has already announced retaliatory measures against U.S. tariffs. Although Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has not ruled out retaliatory options, Japan's room for maneuver in response is becoming increasingly narrow due to the considerations of security interests. As a seasoned veteran, Onodera Itsunori reminds us that the unpredictability of the Trump administration makes it difficult to estimate the policy effects. During the last tariff crisis, Japan obtained tariff exemptions for automobiles by opening its agricultural market to the U.S., but now facing a new round of accusations from the U.S. regarding the yen exchange rate and rice tariffs, Japan's negotiation leverage is not what it used to be. With the April 3rd deadline approaching, this trade showdown spanning the Pacific is pushing Japan towards a dangerous crossroads.