“I’m not sure if we’re gonna make a deal, I doubt it, with Japan.” After months of negotiation, the US and Japan still have not reached a trade deal. Are camera prices in danger of changing (again)?

US President Donald Trump holds a chart as he delivers remarks on reciprocal tariffs during an event in the Rose Garden entitled "Make America Wealthy Again" at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 2, 2025. Trump geared up to unveil sweeping new "Liberation Day" tariffs in a move that threatens to ignite a devastating global trade war. Key US trading partners including the European Union and Britain said they were preparing their responses to Trump's escalation, as nervous markets fell in Europe and America. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP).

The temporary pause reducing reciprocal tariffs to 10 percent ends for most nations on July 09 – but a recent statement by US President Donald Trump casts doubt on whether or not a trade deal will be reached with Japan ahead of the deadline next week. With key camera brands including Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Sony, OM System, Panasonic, and Ricoh headquartered in Japan, the nation is one for photographers to watch as the trade wars play out.

During an interview with reporters on Air Force One earlier this week, Trump told reporters he wasn’t sure if a deal would be made with Japan. “We’ve dealt with Japan,” he said. “I’m not sure if we’re gonna make a deal, I doubt it, with Japan. They and the others are so spoiled from having ripped us off for 30, 40 years that it’s really hard for them to make a deal.”