Japanese Government Requests US for Exemption from Steel and Aluminum Tariffs

Yoji Muto, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Announces at Press Conference

Yoji Muto, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. Bloomberg reported that on the 12th (local time), Minister Muto proposed to the U.S. government to exclude Japanese companies from the 25% additional tariffs on steel and aluminum that the U.S. will apply starting in March. /AFP·Yonhap AFP Yonhap News Photo by AFP

The Japanese government announced on the 12th that it has requested to be excluded from the steel and aluminum tariffs planned by U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to Bloomberg News, Yoji Muto, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, stated at a press conference following the Cabinet meeting that Japan proposed to the U.S. government that Japanese companies be excluded from the 25% additional tariffs on steel and aluminum, which will be applied starting in March.

Minister Muto also mentioned that the Japanese government is providing advisory services through the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) to help companies respond to the U.S. tariff policies.

Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Hayashi also held separate press conferences to express the Japanese government's concerns regarding the U.S. tariff issue. Minister Hayashi said that the exemption request was conveyed through the Japanese Embassy in Washington.

Minister Hayashi added, "Japan intends to thoroughly investigate the content and impact of these tariff measures and ensure necessary responses."

On the 10th (local time), President Trump signed a proclamation imposing a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum products imported into the United States.

Although President Trump initially emphasized that there would be "no exceptions" to the steel and aluminum tariffs, Australia was widely expected to be the first country to receive an exemption. Governments around the world have also actively engaged in behind-the-scenes negotiations to respond. Trump highlighted that Australia is one of the few countries with a trade surplus with the U.S. and suggested the possibility of defense cooperation.