Japan seeks to minimise impact of new US tariffs, officials say

Japan could be subject to higher tariffs if the U.S. moves forward with a new regime of import duties, but Tokyo has requested that its treatment be as favourable as an agreement reached by the two sides last year, Japanese officials said on Tuesday.



Multiple Japanese government officials told Reuters that Tokyo does not intend to renegotiate its trade deal with Washington ahead of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's visit to the U.S. next month.



President Donald Trump, following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on Friday to strike down his tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), applied a 15% duty on imports from all countries, the maximum allowed under a law that is separate from the one the Supreme Court examined.

Trade minister Ryosei Akazawa said Japan requested treatment that is equally favourable to the trade deal that was agreed upon last year following Trump's weekend announcement. He also said some Japanese exports, which are currently subject to reduced tariffs under the deal, may face higher levies.



Trump also warned countries that if they backed away from their trade deals with the U.S., he would hit them with higher duties under different trade laws.