Ford F-150: The Unlikely Star of Japan-US Trade Diplomacy Under Trump Administration

Oct 28, 2025 08:27 pm CST

The Ford F-150 pickup truck has emerged as a symbolic centerpiece in Japan-US trade relations, showcasing Japan's strategic efforts to appease President Donald Trump's trade concerns. During a recent Tokyo meeting between Trump and Japan's first female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the prominently displayed American truck signaled Japan's willingness to increase US automotive imports despite local preferences for smaller vehicles more suitable for Japanese urban environments.