Toyota, Nissan Consider U.S.-Built Car Imports

Toyota and Nissan are weighing plans to import U.S.-built vehicles back into Japan. Toyota is reportedly preparing to tell President Trump it will sell American-made models domestically, with the large Tundra frequently mentioned as a likely, higher-priced offering, while Nissan has identified the Murano and Pathfinder as leading candidates. The proposals are linked to a July U.S.-Japan trade deal and aim in part to address U.S. concerns about non-tariff barriers and the bilateral trade deficit. Tokyo is reviewing automobile safety regulations so U.S.-built cars could be sold without additional testing, and automakers are assessing models and volumes to ship. Nissan says exports would help use underutilized U.S. plants amid factory closures, job cuts and corporate restructuring, and any formal announcements are expected to coincide with President Trump’s visit and meetings with Japanese business leaders.