Toyota exporting US-built cars to Japan after Trump criticism

The Toyota Tundrafull-size pickup is one of three models the brand has announced it plans to export from the United States to Japan in 2026, though the move is not expected to lead to right-hand-drive factory production for Australia.

The Tundra, Camry sedan and Kluger SUV – sold as the Highlander in the US – were confirmed by the automaker as being “prepared” for sale in Japan.

The Japanese-bound Tundra will be manufactured in Texas, the same factory that supplies Australian-market vehicles before they’re converted to right-hand drive (RHD) locally by Walkinshaw Automotive Group in Melbourne, Victoria.

While the Texas plant produces the Tundra exclusively in left-hand drive (LHD) – and Japan is a RHD market – this doesn’t mean the vehicles will need to be converted prior to export, as Japan allows LHD vehicles on its roads, where they are relatively common.

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“At this time, Toyota has no plans to change the current supply arrangements for Tundra in Australia,” a spokesperson for the company told CarExpert.

Toyota Australia is expected to continue sourcing the Camry from Japan, while the Kluger sold locally is built at the same Indiana, US, plant that will supply Japan.

The announcement follows comments from US President Donald Trump, who suggested more US-built vehicles should be sold in Japan during tariff negotiations between the two nations, and confirmed last month that auto exports to Japan were in the pipeline.

“By selling these three popular American models in Japan, Toyota will be able to meet the diverse needs of a broad range of customers, while also helping to improve Japan–US trade relations,” the automaker said in a statement.

“Toyota will also make use of a new system being considered by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism following bilateral negotiations.”

The Trump administration imposed a 27.5 per cent tariff on Japanese vehicle imports before later reducing it to 15 per cent.

Earlier this year, President Trump again pushed for increased US auto exports to Japan, saying in April: “They don’t take our cars, but we take millions of theirs!” on social media after a phone call with then Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

In November, Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda donned a ‘Make America Great Again’ cap while hosting a Toyota event at Fuji Speedway in Japan, which featured US NASCAR drivers, US-built Toyota models and even a Ford F-150.

In addition to the Tundra, Camry and Highlander, Toyota also manufactures the Corolla, Grand Highlander, Sienna and Sequoia in the US.

Last month, Toyota announced a US$10 billion (A$15.3 billion) investment in its US operations and officially opened a new battery manufacturing plant in North Carolina.

The US President has also floated the idea of Japanese-made small, urban-focused ‘Kei’ cars being imported into the US. MORE: Explore the Toyota showroom