Japan eyeing 'appropriate' response to US auto tariffs

US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday 25 percent tariffs «on all cars that are not made in the United States» effective 12:01 am eastern time on April 3.

«We have to think about appropriate measures following this announcement. Naturally, we will consider all options,» Ishiba told parliament.

«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, and those exist as our options.»

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Trump's announcement sent shares in Japanese auto giants down sharply on Thursday.
The world's top-selling automaker Toyota was down almost 3.5 percent, while Nissan shed 2.5 percent and Honda fell as much as 3.1 percent.

Mitsubishi Motors was down 4.5 percent, while Mazda fell 5.9 percent and Subaru 6.1 percent.

In South Korea, Hyundai shares dipped 2.7 percent.

The auto industry is a huge pillar of the Japanese economy, with about 10 percent of jobs there connected to the sector.

Vehicles accounted for roughly a third of Japan's 21.3 trillion yen ($142 billion) of US-bound exports in 2024.

Earlier in March, the chair of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) warned of the impact of US trade protectionism at a Tokyo press conference.

A 25 percent tariff «would have a negative impact overall on the economies of the United States and Japan», Masanori Katayama said.

Japanese ministers have been lobbying their US counterparts to secure tariff exemptions for goods like steel and vehicles, but these requests