Japan urges US to reverse tariffs despite 90-day pause

​​​​​​​By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - Japan on Thursday welcomed Washington’s 90-day pause on its sweeping reciprocal tariffs but said it will continue to press the US to reverse its remaining trade barriers, particularly those affecting key Japanese exports such as steel, aluminum, and automobiles.

Japan's government spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, said Tokyo welcomed the reprieve but will continue to urge Washington to reverse additional tariff policies.

"We have conveyed our concern and strongly asked (the US) to review the tariff measures at various levels. We take the US announcement as a positive development," Hayashi told a news conference.

"That said, we will continue to strongly urge the United States to review the remaining reciprocal tariff, as well as other tariffs on steel, aluminum, cars and car parts," he added.

Trump had imposed higher tariffs on more than 180 nations. But he paused "reciprocal tariffs" Wednesday for 90 days on all countries, except China, raising the tariff rate on Beijing to 125%.

A baseline 10% tariff remains in effect on Japanese products entering the US, out of the 24% reciprocal tariff imposed.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba warned Trump earlier that if the tariffs remain high, Japan’s investment in the US could weaken, noting Japan has been the world’s top investor in the US for five consecutive years.