President Donald Trump’s letter to Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is being roasted online, with critics comparing it to something “a fifth grader” would write.
The letter, which the 79-year-old posted to Truth Social on July 7, announced the US would impose 25% tariffs on Japanese goods starting August 1.
It is part of a series of letters Trump sent to 13 other countries - including South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Serbia, and Cambodia - as he renews his hardline trade stance.
Check out the letter below:
The letter itself reads: “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.”
Trump goes on to state that the US is “the Number One Market in the World, by far” and insists the tariffs are necessary due to Japan’s “Tariff, and Non Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers".
"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. 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," he said.
The president added: "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."
The two-time leader concluded with a threat of further tariff increases if Japan retaliates, calling the trade deficit a “major threat to our Economy and, indeed, our National Security!”
While Trump may have hoped to project strength, many people could not get past the letter’s unusual style.
Packed with random capitalizations - with phrases like “Trade Deficit,” “Tariff,” and even “TRADE” in all caps - critics said it read like one of Trump’s rants on Truth Social.
"This was written today by the President of the United States, not a 5th grader," one user on X wrote, while another asked: "What the f*** is up with all the unnecessary capitalizations? This is painful to read."
"So Trump sends letters to countries by way of copy & paste. It’s also sent out with numerous grammatical & spelling errors. I thought it was a parody. Unfortunately, it is not. America has hit a new low," a third quipped.
“Imagine spending decades building a stable alliance, only to get a letter that reads like it was written by a kid who just learned what ‘tariff’ means," a fourth chimed in.
One user didn’t hold back, calling it a “pure clown show."
"Threats, bad grammar, zero diplomacy," they continued. "He’s wrecking decades of trust over a trade deficit he doesn’t even understand. And for what?"
According to Indy100, this isn’t the first time Trump’s literacy skills have come under fire.
An analysis of his 2024 election speeches showed he typically speaks at a fifth-to-sixth-grade level, which aligns with the average American reading age. So, while this may sound like a negative, this actually helps Trump communicate more successfully with a broader audience.
However, many argued that official correspondence with world leaders should perhaps sound a bit more polished than a Truth Social post.
Despite the backlash, Trump has argued that tough tariff measures are needed to protect American industries and reduce trade deficits.
As the tariffs are set to take effect on August 1, it remains to be seen how Japan will respond. For now, the internet seems more focused on the letter’s presentation than its policy.