Japan asks US to drop tariffs, calls them regrettable

Japan has expressed deep regret over the tit-for-tat tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump and urged Washington to roll them back, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said today.

According to Japan’s Kyodo News agency, the Chief Cabinet Secretary made the remarks today, hours after the 24% tariffs took effect, despite Tokyo’s request for an exemption.

Hayashi told a regular press conference that the wide range of trade restrictive measures imposed by the United States will have a significant impact not only on bilateral economic relations but also on the global economy and the multilateral trading system.

He called on the United States to review the measures, amid growing concerns that the significantly higher tariffs will stifle Japan’s export-oriented economy.