Abstract

The second Trump administration has announced its intention to impose tariffs on all countries around the world, especially those that have trade surpluses with the US. Inconsistencies in the implementation of the tariff policy have generated confusion and concerns about the US’ self-serving interests. Responses to the US tariffs have been varied, ranging from acceptance to retaliation. Many countries have expended much diplomatic energy to engage the US in trade negotiations. Through the bilateral trade negotiations, the US has also presented other demands to its allies, such as increasing their share of defence burden-sharing.

This seminar will focus on Japan’s perspectives of the US tariffs, its responses, and the implications on the US-Japan alliance.

About the Speaker

Makio Miyagawa has held successive positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Legal Desk Chief, Deputy Director of the US-Japan Trade Division and of the Russian Division, Director within the Economic Affairs Bureau and Asia Oceania Bureau, Deputy DG (Director-General) of Climate Change Negotiations, DG of Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, and DG of Middle East and North Africa.

He served in the Japanese embassies in the UK and Malaysia, and in the Japanese Mission in Geneva. He also held the position of Special Advisor on National Security, National Security Secretariat, within the Cabinet Bureau of Japan. He received a D.Phil. in International Relations from Oxford University, and a BSc in Aeronautical and Spacecraft Engineering from the University of Tokyo.

He has lectured at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies and at the University of Tokyo and has served as Director of the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA). He has published numerous books and articles, including “Do Economic Sanctions Work?” He received the distinction of Commandeur de L’Ordre National du Mérite (Commandeur) from the Republic of France.