Japan's government warned Thursday of a "significant impact" on its economic relations with the United States -- and on global trade -- after US President Donald Trump announced import tariffs on cars.
Tokyo is a close economic and strategic US ally, with its firms the biggest investors in the United States and one in 10 Japanese jobs connected to the auto sector, AFP reported.
On Wednesday Trump announced 25 percent tariffs "on all cars that are not made in the United States" effective 12:01 am eastern time on April 3.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who last month held friendly talks with Trump at the White House, said Japan was reviewing an "appropriate" response.
"Japan has made significant investments and significant job creation, which doesn't apply to all countries... We are the number one (country) in investment in the United States," Ishiba added.
"The US president's understanding on this is significantly deepening. However, various things are happening, so we are considering all kinds of countermeasures," he said.
Japan’s Chief government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi went further, calling the tariffs "extremely regrettable" and warning of major effects.
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