The person in charge of the steel industry stated that the Japanese steel industry was concerned that the United States would adopt the new import tariffs for steel and aluminum as a ticket for trade negotiations.

The United States agreed to waive South Korea from steel tariffs and implement the steel import quota system. In principle, the two countries agreed to amend the trade agreement severely criticized by President Trump.

Kosei Shindo, the chairman of the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF), said at the press conference, "We are concerned that the United States will use tariffs as a ticket for extensive trade agreement negotiation."

Last week, President Trump temporarily ruled out six-nation steel tariffs, including Canada and Mexico, and exemptions included the majority of American allies, but Japan was excluded.