BOJ could face pressure to act as U.S. debates reciprocal tariffs

Bessent signals Washington will probe 'interest rate repression' by other nations

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President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs could take effect as early as April 2.  © AP

ISAYA SHIMIZU

TOKYO -- As President Donald Trump's administration debates the details of planned reciprocal tariffs, Washington has signaled that it could treat currency manipulation as a nontariff barrier that triggers a counter levy from the U.S.

If Japan becomes the target of U.S. probes for possible reciprocal tariffs and the White House concludes the yen's weakness is linked to the Bank of Japan's monetary policy, the central bank could face pressure from Washington to move faster as it weighs additional interest rate hikes. 

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