Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Tuesday called US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Japanese imports “truly regrettable,” emphasizing that Japan will continue pursuing a mutually beneficial trade agreement while defending its national interests.

Speaking at a tariff task force meeting in Tokyo, Ishiba vowed that Japan will not yield under pressure and will do everything possible to shield its export-driven economy from the impact of the US tariffs, which are set to take effect on August 1.

“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 said. He attributed the lack of a breakthrough in talks to Japan’s refusal to make “hasty compromises” and its focus on preserving key economic sectors.

Trump’s announcement, made via a public letter to Ishiba posted on his platform Truth Social, imposes a 25 per cent duty on all imports from Japan. The new tariff is in addition to existing sector-specific duties, including a 25 per cent levy on automobiles and 50 per cent on steel and aluminum.

The White House also issued tariff notices to 13 other countries, including South Korea (25%), South Africa (30%), Serbia and Bangladesh (35%), Thailand and Cambodia (36%), and Myanmar and Laos (40%).

Trump warned that any retaliatory tariffs from affected countries would be met with equivalent increases. “If you raise your tariffs, we will add that number onto the 25 per cent,” he wrote.

Ishiba reaffirmed that Japan would prioritize diplomacy but would not hesitate to defend its economic interests.