Toyota to Propose Importing U.S.-Made Cars During Trump Visit

Toyota plans to tell U.S. officials next week that it may begin importing vehicles built in the United States into Japan during President Trump’s three-day visit, with Chairman Akio Toyoda expected to raise the proposal at a meeting of U.S. and Japanese business leaders. CEO Koji Sato said the company is considering which models and volumes could be shipped and framed the move as one idea to help reduce the U.S. trade deficit amid recent U.S. tariff changes on cars. The Japanese government is reportedly reviewing rules to allow U.S.-made cars to be sold in Japan without additional testing, though Toyota notes regulatory and efficiency challenges to selling U.S.-spec models in Japan. Toyota says it would remain a contributor to the U.S. auto industry even if it imports U.S.-built cars back to Japan, and other automakers such as Nissan are also weighing similar moves. Toyota has not issued an official company announcement confirming the report.