Japan\u2019s exports to the United States plummeted 13.8% in August compared to the same month the previous year, marking the fifth straight month of declines, as auto exports were hit by President Donald Trump\u2019s tariffs.<\/p>\n
The Finance Ministry data released Wednesday showed the rate of the drop in exports to the U.S. compared to the previous year worsened from a 10.1% slip in July.<\/p>\n
U.S. tariffs on Japanese automobiles and auto parts decreased from 27.5%, the amount Trump initially levied, to 15% this week, but that\u2019s still higher than the original 2.5%.<\/p>\n
Wednesday\u2019s data reflect the month of August, when the tariffs were higher. Japan\u2019s overall exports were little changed, slipping 0.1%, as exports grew to Europe and the Middle East.<\/p>\n
The provisional data for August showed Japan\u2019s imports from the world fell 5.2% from a year ago. Imports from China grew 2.1%, while exports to China fell 0.5%. Imports from the U.S. grew 11.6%.<\/p>\n
Exports to the world grew in food, gaining 18%, as well as in ships, growing by nearly 25%. Imports grew in computers, adding nearly 35% on-year, while aircraft rose 21%.\n<\/p>\n