TOKYO: Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Sunday (July 6) he won't "easily compromise" in talks with Washington as Tokyo seeks to avert President Donald Trump's threat to impose tariffs of up to 35 percent on Japanese goods.

US President Donald Trump cast doubt on reaching a trade deal with Japan, a day after threatening higher tariffs on Japanese exports to the United States, claiming the country won’t buy American rice.

The U.S. is preparing to send Japan a letter outlining a new tariff rate for the nation, President Trump said Monday, despite months of intensive negotiations between the countries aimed at averting higher tariffs.