US President Donald Trump has delivered an unusual and rather ironic statement about the Japanese government. He declared that “Mr. Japan” is engaged in unfair trade practices with the United States.

According to the White House leader, if Japan fails to reach an agreement with the US, Washington will maintain a 25% tariff on Japanese cars.

Recently, Trump reproached the Japanese authorities for not buying enough American automobiles, while the US imports millions of vehicles from the Asian country. “It’s not fair,” Trump emphasized. He added that Japan could purchase more US oil and “a lot of other things” to help reduce the trade deficit.

Earlier, Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s economy minister and the country’s top trade negotiator, said that talks between Tokyo and Washington are “at a critical stage.” He has repeatedly called the US tariffs on imported cars unacceptable.

Akazawa also emphasized Japan's enormous contribution to the US economy, citing investments totaling over $60 billion and the creation of 2.3 million jobs. During the negotiations, the issue of 25% tariffs was raised again, with Japan’s economy minister describing them as a “huge blow” to the Japanese economy.