TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Tuesday said that US President Donald Trump's decision to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Japan is "truly regrettable, " noting bilateral negotiations will continue toward a mutually beneficial deal.
At a tariff task force meeting, Ishiba said the government will not waver in its defence of national interests in future rounds of trade talks, pledging to do all it can to mitigate the impact of the imminent tariff hike on the export-oriented Japanese economy.
"We will continue to engage in negotiations with the United States to explore the possibility of reaching a mutually beneficial deal while protecting our national interests, " Ishiba told the meeting.
Ishiba also said the lack of progress in reaching a trade deal was because "the government has avoided making hasty compromises while demanding and protecting what is needed."