News We Missed: Trump Saw These “Really Cute” Cars In Japan And Now Wants Them On US Roads

During his visit to Japan from October 27 to October 29, 2025, President Donald Trump expressed interest in bringing Japanese kei cars to U.S. roads after seeing them firsthand.

Kei cars — tiny, affordable, and surprisingly practical vehicles — have long been a staple of everyday life in Japan. In the United States, however, they remain a niche fascination, mostly limited to enthusiasts willing to wait 25 years to legally import a used example. That may soon change, as President Donald Trump has unexpectedly expressed interest in bringing these microcars to American roads.

During a recent visit to Japan, Trump noticed the ultra-compact vehicles and questioned why Americans are unable to buy them new. He was reportedly impressed by their small size, simplicity, and suitability for dense urban environments.

What’s Behind the Kei Crush?

“They’re very small, they’re really cute, and I said ‘How would that do in this country?’”

Trump said this while speaking to reporters about the idea of kei cars in the US. When informed that such vehicles fail to meet American crash-test standards — and would stand little chance in a collision with a full-size pickup like a Ford F-150 — the president reportedly concluded that the issue lies with regulations rather than the cars themselves.

As a result, Trump tasked Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy with exploring ways to allow kei cars onto the US market, including the possibility of domestic production by companies such as Toyota and Honda.

Still, the challenges are significant. In Japan, kei cars are tightly regulated, with engines limited to 660 cc and dimensions so small they appear almost toy-like next to American pickups. While perfectly suited to Tokyo’s congested streets, they look vulnerable and out of place on US highways.

The business case is also weak. Analysts point out that small cars sell poorly in the US, and profit margins are thin. Even larger European city cars — such as the Fiat 500 — have failed to gain lasting traction in the American market.

Even so, Trump’s enthusiasm has cracked the door open. Should regulations change, Americans might one day encounter something truly unusual at their local dealership — a car so small that even a Mazda Miata would seem luxurious by comparison.