Trump tariffs leave tougher landscape for Komatsu, DMG Mori

Japanese companies face risks from stiffer local competition, investment slowdown

20250409N Komatsu

Around half of the equipment Komatsu sells in the U.S. is imported from other countries. © Reuters

SHIN WATANABE

TOKYO -- The wide-ranging tariffs rolled out by the U.S. administration will hit Japanese companies in industries from construction equipment to food, making it harder for them to compete effectively in a crucial market.

Though U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a 90-day "pause" on the full reciprocal tariffs, which would have imposed a 24% duty on imports from Japan, a 10% baseline duty still took effect that day. This follows earlier levies on steel and aluminum products, as well as on vehicles. Autos account for almost 30% of Japan's exports to the U.S.

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