Toyota's Countermove to U.S. Tariff Pressure: Camry Made in America to Be Reimported to Japan

Camry Returns as a "Tariff Solution" After Discontinuation in Japan
Chairman Akio Toyoda: "Tariff Negotiations Are Not the Only Answer"

As the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump continues to exert pressure through automobile tariffs, Toyota Motor Corporation has decided to utilize the "reverse import" strategy by bringing vehicles produced at its U.S. plants back to Japan for domestic sales. This move is seen as a symbolic gesture aimed at alleviating the U.S.-Japan trade deficit and easing tariff tensions, rather than simply launching a new car model.

Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation, announced at the "Super Taikyu Series 2026" event held at Fuji Speedway in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, on June 6 that the company plans to reintroduce the Camry produced at its Kentucky plant in the United States into the Japanese market.

On the 5th, Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota Motor Corporation, spoke at the "Super Taikyu Series 2026" event held at Fuji Speedway in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Shizuoka, Japan – Photo by Lee Seungjin

Hiroki Nakajima, Vice President of Toyota Motor Corporation, who attended the "Super Taikyu Series 2026" event the previous day, stated, "We will modify the U.S.-produced Camry to a right-hand drive specification for Japanese customers," adding, "We are targeting a launch this fall."

Toyota has set an annual sales target of around 10,000 units for the Camry in Japan. Having previously been discontinued in the Japanese market, the Camry is now returning with a new role as a "tariff solution."

Toyota officially announced its plan to sell U.S.-produced vehicles in Japan at the end of last year. The targeted models include the Camry from the Kentucky plant, the Highlander from the Indiana plant, and the Tundra pickup truck from the Texas plant—a total of three models. The company has stated that through these efforts, it aims to "contribute to improving Japan-U.S. trade relations."

Notably, the most attention-grabbing moment at the event was Chairman Akio Toyoda's remarks regarding tariffs. He said, "Toyota manufactures vehicles all over the world, including the United States, China, and across Asia," and noted, "Bringing Toyota vehicles made in the U.S. to Japan is also one possible approach."

He continued, "This could help improve the trade balance to some extent and may also lead to a reconsideration of tariff issues." He emphasized, "Tariff negotiations are not the only answer. We need to find a way for all stakeholders—customers, manufacturers, and those in the supply chain—to be winners."

(From left) Masahiro Sasaki, rookie racing driver; Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation; Hiroki Nakajima, Vice President of Toyota Motor Corporation; and Satoshi Tachi, Vehicle Development Project Manager at Toyota Motor Corporation, are taking a commemorative photo at the "Super Taikyu Series 2026" event. Shizuoka, Japan - Photo by Seungjin Lee

This is interpreted as a message that expanding sales of U.S.-made cars in Japan could help reduce the Japan-bound automotive trade deficit—a long-standing concern for the U.S.—and ease tariff disputes.

In fact, Toyota has recently been significantly affected by tariff-related costs. With the U.S. government imposing high tariffs on imported cars and parts, Toyota projected that its tariff burden would reach approximately $9.5 billion (about 13 trillion won) for the 2025–2026 fiscal years. As a result of these impacts, the company lowered its annual operating profit forecast and reported a significant decline in profitability in its North American operations.

Toyota is also working to expand its production footprint in the United States. The company is considering increasing U.S. production of the next-generation RAV4 and is also investing in a battery plant in North Carolina.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.