In the Japanese city of Seki, famous for its artisanal knives with a formidable advantage, local artisans are not so surprised by the commercial agreement concluded by Tokyo and Washington, judged the customs surcharges that Donald Trump had threatened to impose.
Commercial conversations between the two powers had followed closely in Seki (Japan Center), where the art of cutlery dates back to 700 years: according to local authorities, about 40% of the knives made in the city are exported to the United States.
Washington threatened to impose the “reciprocal” customs customs of the customs of 25% since August 1: according to the agreement announced on Wednesday, this surcharge will finally be reduced to 15%.
“Customs duties below, it is much better,” Katsumi Sumikama, director of Sumikama’s cutlery in Seki reacts. “But I’m not so surprised” by this agreement, he adds.
“Then, as the negotiations advanced, I wanted to give the public a good image by passing it from 25 to 15%. This type of strategy would be so Trumpian!” Adds Katsumi Sumikama.
“Americans will have to endure the load”
Donald Trump, who described the agreement with Japan as “huge”, promised to impose “reciprocal” and punitive rights to dozens of countries if they did not conclude agreements at the end of July. In addition to Japan, Washington claims to have heard with the United Kingdom, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Until now, media attention had mainly paid the impact of American surcharges on Japanese cars like Toyota, as well as Japanese steel, from 50% recharged by Washington, or American rice, of which Donald Trump wants to boost exports to Japan.
But Japanese knives are not saved by the commercial battle: they have been imposed in recent years as essential objects in kitchens around the world, especially in the United States, doping by the attraction by “homemade” during the pandemic.
In the end, “it is the Americans who will have to withstand the increase in cost increase,” he said.
Source: BFM TV
