Japan on Wednesday requested that its steel and aluminum products be exempted from 25 percent tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, according to Kyodo News.
"We will take firm and necessary measures while closely monitoring any possible impact on Japanese companies," trade minister Yoji Muto told a news conference, referring to the tariffs which Trump said would be applied "without exceptions."
Separately, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the government made the request through the Japanese Embassy in the United States.
The tariffs are due to take effect on March 12, according to the White House. It was Trump's first sector-based tariff order since taking office last month.
Several U.S. trading partners, including Japan, were granted duty-free quotas under the administration of Trump's predecessor Joe Biden.
But Trump on Monday signed proclamations removing the exceptions.
