Press Releases
U.S. decision of import restriction measures on steel and aluminum products based on Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act
(Statement by Foreign Minister Taro Kono)
1. It is regrettable that the President of the United States has decided on import restriction measures to raise the tariff on steel and aluminum products imported from all countries except Canada and Mexico, based on Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, on March 9 (March 8 local time), on the ground that importing steel products and refined and unrefined aluminum into the U.S. has the risk to impair the national security of the U.S.
2. These measures could make a significant impact on the economic and cooperative relationship between Japan and the U.S., who are allies, as well as the world economy. Japan will appropriately address this issue upon careful scrutinization of the impact on Japanese companies and the relationship with the WTO Agreement.