Japan asks US for exemption from Trump steel tariffs

Japan asked the United States on Wednesday to be exempt from President Donald Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminum exports, Tokyo's top government spokesman Hayashi Yoshimasa said.

Trump has signed executive orders to impose 25 percent tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum starting March 12, triggering angry reactions internationally including from Canada, Mexico, and the European Union. 

The request was made through the Japanese embassy in the United States early Wednesday, he said. "Japan will carefully study the content of the measures and their impact on the country and take necessary policy," he added.