This paper analyzes recent shifts in U.S. tariff policy toward strategic protectionism and their implications for Japanese agriculture. Japan’s heavy reliance on imported agricultural products and fertilizers, coupled with an aging farming population, exposes structural vulnerabilities. The paper emphasizes the need to understand the continuity of U.S. strategic objectives, rather than focusing excessively on policy changes such as large-scale investments or tariff policy shifts made by successive U.S. administrations. It also argues that Japan must diversify its import sources, strengthen domestic supply chains, and implement agricultural and industrial policies that integrate security considerations. Aligning strategically with long-term U.S. objectives while preserving domestic autonomy is essential for sustaining resilience, competitiveness, and food security in a volatile global trade environment.
Keywords: U.S. tariff policy, Japanese agriculture, supply chain, strategic protectionism, food security
Link to the original full article: https://ap.fftc.org.tw/article/3904
ABSTRACT
This paper analyzes recent shifts in U.S. tariff policy toward strategic protectionism and their implications for Japanese agriculture. Japan’s heavy reliance on imported agricultural products and fertilizers, coupled with an aging farming population, exposes structural vulnerabilities. The paper emphasizes the need to understand the continuity of U.S. strategic objectives, rather than focusing excessively on policy changes such as large-scale investments or tariff policy shifts made by successive U.S. administrations. It also argues that Japan must diversify its import sources, strengthen domestic supply chains, and implement agricultural and industrial policies that integrate security considerations. Aligning strategically with long-term U.S. objectives while preserving domestic autonomy is essential for sustaining resilience, competitiveness, and food security in a volatile global trade environment.
Keywords: U.S. tariff policy, Japanese agriculture, supply chain, strategic protectionism, food security
摘要
本文分析近期美國關稅政策向策略保護主義轉變的趨勢及其對日本農業的影響。由於日本高度依賴進口農產品與化學肥料，加上農業人口老化的情況，暴露了其結構的脆弱性。本文強調理解美國策略目標連續性的必要之處，而非過度聚焦於歷屆美國政府實施的大規模投資或關稅政策變動等政策方面的調整。文中亦主張日本必須增加更多的進口來源、強化國內供應鏈，並實施將安全考量納入的農業與工業政策。在全球動盪的貿易環境中，策略性地配合美國長期目標，同時並維護國內的自主性，將會是為日本維持韌性、競爭力及糧食安全的關鍵之處。
要約
本稿は、米国の関税政策が戦略的保護主義へと移行した最近の動向と、それが日本の農業に及ぼす影響を分析する。日本は輸入農産物や肥料への依存度が高く、農業人口の高齢化も相まって構造的な脆弱性を露呈している。本稿は、歴代米国政権による大規模投資や関税政策転換といった政策変更に過度に注目するよりも、米国の戦略的目標の継続性を理解する必要性を強調する。また、日本は輸入源の多様化、国内サプライチェーンの強化、安全保障的配慮を統合した農政・産業政策の実施が不可欠であると論じる。変動の激しい国際貿易環境下で回復力、競争力、食料安全保障を持続させるには、国内の自律性を保ちつつ米国の長期的目標と戦略的に連携することが重要である。