美國總統川普在社群媒體秀出寫給日本首相石破茂的關稅通知信。翻攝Truth Social
美國總統川普週一(7/7)公布首批寄出的關稅通知信。包括日本、南韓、馬來西亞等14個國家收到信。這14封信的內容大同小異,主要的不同點是各國所面臨的稅率介於25%~40%。《華爾街日報》(WSJ)以川普的第一封信,也就是寄給日本首相石破茂的信為範本,逐段解讀其中內容重點和背景:
川普的寫給石破茂的關稅通知信全文如下:
美國總統川普在社群媒體秀出寄給日本等14國的關稅通知信。在寄給日本首相石破茂的信中,川普通知所有銷往美國的日本商品將被課徵25%關稅。翻攝Truth Social
「親愛的首相先生:
我很榮幸寄出這封信函給您。這封信展現了我們兩國貿易關係的強勁和承諾,同時也表明了,即便美國與貴國存在顯著的貿易逆差,我們仍願與日本繼續合作。(Dear Mr. Prime Minister,It is a Great Honor for me to send you this letter in that it demonstrates the strength and commitment of our Trading Relationship, and the fact that the United States of America has agreed to continue working with Japan, despite having a significant Trade Deficit with your great Country.)」(WSJ解讀:這是川普一貫的書寫風格,他會將某些單字字母大寫以加強語氣。例如上段文字中的「Trading Relationship」和「Trade Deficit」,字首都以大寫加強。
美國去年與日本之間的貿易赤字達694億美元。是美國第7大貿易逆差關係國。)「即便如此,我們仍決定和貴國繼續往來,但必須是更平衡、更公平的貿易。所以,我們邀請您加入無以倫比的美國經濟市場,全球首屈一指的市場。過去多年來,我們與日本討論雙方的貿易關係,並得出結論,我們必須擺脫長期且持續的貿易逆差,這是源自於日本關稅、非關稅壁壘措施及貿易屏障所導致的逆差。(Nevertheless, we have decided to move forward with you, but only with more balanced, and fair, TRADE. Therefore, we invite you to participate in the extraordinary Economy of the United States, the Number One Market in the World, by far. We have had years to discuss our Trading Relationship with Japan, and have concluded that we must move away from these longterm, and very persistent, Trade Deficits engendered by Japan’s Tariff, and Non Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers.)」(WSJ解讀:川普的貿易團隊在過去一段時間內,已與日本官員針對貿易協議展開談判。但美方不時在談判期間改變立場,讓相關協商難以進行。舉例來說,川普6月時突然無預警宣布加倍進口鋼鐵關稅。他上週也突然中斷與日本之間的協商並說:「我們會直接寄信給他們。」)
「不幸的是,我們之間的關係極遠非互惠。自2025年8月1日起,我們將對任何以及所有日本銷往美國商品,向日本課徵僅僅25%稅率,此關稅獨立於所有產業關稅之外。(Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from Reciprocal. Starting on August 1, 2025, we will charge Japan a Tariff of only 25% on any and all Japanese products sent into the United States, separate from all Sectoral Tariffs.)(WSJ背景解釋:川普於今年4月2日宣布對等關稅措施,對包括日本在內上百個貿易夥伴國課徵對等關稅。所有被白宮視為不公平貿易對象的國家,都被課徵遠高於10%的稅率。川普也將這一天稱之為「解放日」。)
「任何被轉運至他處藉此規避關稅者,將會被課徵更高稅率。請理解,25%的數字遠不足以消除我們與貴國之間的貿易逆差。(Goods transshipped to evade a higher Tariff will be subject to that higher Tariff. Please understand that the 25% number is far less than what is needed to eliminate the Trade Deficit disparity we have with your Country.)(WSJ背景解釋:川普第一任期時,中國出口商為了規避美國對進口中國商品的高額關稅,而將商品送往越南和墨西哥洗產地。川普重返白宮後,企圖杜絕此行徑。
至於日本被課徵的25%關稅,實際上比4月2日公布的24%稅率還高出1個百分點。)「正如您所知,如果日本或貴國企業決定在美國境內打造生產線,就不會有關稅措施。事實上,我們還會竭盡一切努力,快速、專業且常規化方式核准申請。換句話說,只需要幾週便可。(As you are aware, there will be no Tariff if Japan, or companies within your Country, decide to build or manufacture product within the United States and, in fact, we will do everything possible to get approvals quickly, professionally, and routinely — In other words, in a matter of weeks.)如果您以任何理由調高貴國關稅,無論您調高多少,我們會額外調高25%稅率。請理解,這些關稅是必要的,為了糾正日本多年來的關稅、非關稅措施和貿易壁壘。這些政策導致美國難以持續的貿易逆差。逆差是我國經濟,甚至是國家安全的重大威脅!(If for any reason you decide to raise your Tariffs, then, whatever the number you choose to raise them by, will be added onto the 25% that we charge. Please understand that these Tariffs are necessary to correct the many years of Japan’s Tariff, and Non Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers, causing these unsustainable Trade Deficits against the United States. This Deficit is a major threat to our Economy and, indeed, our National Security!)」(WSJ解讀:川普警告各國不得採取報復性關稅措施,否則會面對更強力反擊,讓貿易戰進一步升高。)「我們期待以貴國貿易夥伴的身分,在未來幾年內與您繼續合作。如果您願意向美國開放迄今為止封閉的貿易市場,並取消您的關稅、非關稅措施和貿易壁壘。我們,或許,會考慮調整這封信的內容。這些關稅可以往上或往下調整,取決於我國與貴國之間的關係。您絕對不會對美利堅合眾國失望的。感謝您對此議題的關注。祝好運。誠摯的川普上。(We look forward to working with you as your Trading Partner for many years to come. If you wish to open your heretofore closed Trading Markets to the United States, and eliminate your Tariff, and Non Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers, we will, perhaps, consider an adjustment to this letter. These Tariffs may be modified, upward or downward, depending on our relationship with your Country. You will never be disappointed with The United States of America.
Thank you for your attention to this matter!
With best wishes, I am,
Sincerely
Donald Trump)」(WSJ解讀:又是經典的「川普文體」(Trumpism)。他在社群平台Truth Social 發文時,總是以「感謝你們對此議題的關注!」結尾。)