TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said today Tokyo won’t “easily compromise” in trade talks with Washington, as it races to avert US President Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs up to 35% on Japanese goods.

Speaking on a TV talk show, Ishiba said negotiations were tough and ongoing ahead of Wednesday’s deadline, when Trump’s paused tariff hikes are set to take effect if no deal is reached.

Trump has called Japan’s trade practices “unfair,” pushing for more US car and rice imports, and warning Japan may face steep tariffs. Tokyo’s trade envoy Ryosei Akazawa has been in talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

Ishiba argued Japan, as America’s biggest investor and job creator, deserves fair treatment. “We are allies, but we must speak up. We are different from others,” he said, adding Japan is preparing for “all scenarios” should Trump send his planned letter demanding higher payments.