Japan survey: Firms welcome US tariff pact, half see room for more price hikes

Japan survey: Firms welcome US tariff pact, half see room for more price hikes

• A Reuters corporate survey found three-quarters of Japanese companies view the new US–Japan tariff agreement favourably

Most Japanese firms back US tariff deal, but earnings impact split — Reuters survey.

A Reuters corporate survey found three-quarters of Japanese companies view the new US–Japan tariff agreement favourably, after Tokyo secured concessions from Washington that lowered planned import duties.

• Under the July deal, US tariffs on Japanese goods were set at 15% — down from the previously planned 25% — while the auto levy was cut to 15% from 27.5%.

Despite the relief, the 15% auto tariff remains well above the pre-Trump level of 2.5%, and 38% of firms expect a negative earnings impact from the pact, compared with 20% seeing a positive effect.

• Toyota, for example, trimmed its profit forecast by 16%, while Sony raised its outlook by 4%, citing smaller-than-feared tariff effects. Almost all respondents said the deal would not alter capital expenditure plans.

The survey also showed 54% of companies expect to raise prices further to offset higher costs, while 46% see little scope for additional hikes. Some firms warned higher prices were already dampening demand and shrinking markets.