Image: Nuthawut Somsuk / iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday evening that the US and Japan have reached a trade deal, CNN reported. The new agreement, which Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba confirmed, results in a 15% tariff on Japanese imports.
The White House also shared details of a separate agreement with Indonesia that would result in a 19% tariff.
The 15% tariff on Japanese imports is an improvement from the 25% rate threatened earlier this month. While a 10% decrease is better than the alternative for US customers, it doesn't necessarily mean that cameras and lenses will become more affordable.
Most brands, including Nikon, Canon, Sony, Leica and Sigma, have raised prices by roughly 10% in the US because of the increased tariffs. Those price increases occurred during the 90-day pause on full tariffs. During that time, threatened tariff rates were significantly higher than the 10% price increases we saw on camera gear. It appeared that brands were accepting that they would have to take some of the loss instead of passing all of the cost on to consumers.
Given that the new trade agreement doesn't result in tariffs lower than the price increases, it's unlikely that manufacturers will decrease their prices in the US. Instead, those prices are likely here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future. It could, however, mean that there won't be additional jumps in pricing, which was a possibility if the threatened 25% rate became a reality.
Of course, not all (or even most) cameras and lenses are made in Japan or Indonesia. For example, Tamron began operating a factory in Vietnam in February in response to looming tariffs. Earlier this month, President Trump announced a deal with Vietnam that resulted in 20% tariffs on imports from Vietnam, which is substantially lower than the original 46% rate announced in April. Other trade deals are ongoing, so the exact impact of tariffs on photography equipment prices in the US is unclear.
. dpreview.com2025-7-24 20:55