The Japanese government is still clarifying the details of US President Donald Trump’s decision to raise steel and aluminum tariffs to 50 percent, but considers the US administration’s tariff measures “regrettable.”

“We are aware of the announcement [of raising steel and aluminum tariffs]. First of all, we [i.e. Japan] will follow the specific content of the measures, which will become clear later. In any case, we consider the US government’s series of tariff measures extremely regrettable and strongly urge to review them,” said Japanese Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, responding to a question about the trade talks between Japan and the US and the impact of Washington’s aforesaid move on the economy.