Japan Requests Exemption from US Steel and Aluminum Tariffs
TOKYO - Japan's government announced on Wednesday a request to the US to exclude the country from the 25% tariffs imposed on steel and aluminum imports. This marks a departure from the duty-free quotas previously granted to Tokyo.
The request was submitted through the Japanese embassy in Washington after US President Donald Trump eliminated all exceptions and exemptions from his previous 25% steel tariffs and raised aluminum tariffs from 10% to 25%.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi indicated that Japan will explore the potential implications of these measures on its economy and pursue diplomatic channels for an exemption.
"Japan will take firm and necessary steps as we thoroughly analyze the specifics of the new measures and their possible impact," Hayashi stated.
President Trump's measures are part of his ongoing efforts to reshape global trade based on the belief that tariffs on foreign goods will bolster domestic manufacturing.
During the presidency of Joe Biden, Japan was granted an annual duty-free quota of up to 1.25 million tons of steel. According to the American Iron and Steel Institute, Japan exported 1.18 million tons of steel to the US in 2024. Japanese steel exports to the US amounted to 302.7 billion yen ($2 billion) in 2024, representing approximately 1.4% of Japan's total exports to the US. Government data indicate that aluminum exports were significantly lower.