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▼ Toyota Says U.S. Tariffs Will Substantially Increase Car Prices
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TOKYO - Japanese car giant Toyota on Friday warned that U.S. steel and aluminium tariffs would harm automakers and "substantially" increase the price of cars sold in America.
The firm was reacting after U.S. President Donald Trump announced tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminium, key materials for the auto sector.
Toyota noted that 90 percent of the steel and aluminium it purchases for its US operations comes from the United States.
"Nonetheless, the administration's decision to impose substantial steel and aluminum tariffs will adversely impact automakers, the automotive supplier community and consumers as this would substantially raise costs and therefore prices of cars and trucks sold in America," the Japanese firm said.
The United States is Toyota's top market, selling 2.4 million in 2017.
Trump's announcement sparked fears of a trade war and has already prompted sharp reactions from trading partners such as Canada, the European Union and Britain.
The move also rattled global stock markets, with U.S. stocks selling off sharply and Japanese equities following suit in early Friday trade.
Meanwhile, the Japanese government on Friday defended Japan's exports of steel and aluminum to the United States, Kyodo News reported.
"We don't think imports from Japan, an ally, have any effect at all on U.S. national security," Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko told a press conference.
Trump has not yet mentioned which countries will be subject to the tariffs, and Japan wants to be made an exception.
Seko said Japan will communicate its stance to the United States while gathering more information about the proposed tariffs, Kyodo reported.
© 2018 AFP/KYODO
The firm was reacting after U.S. President Donald Trump announced tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminium, key materials for the auto sector.
Toyota noted that 90 percent of the steel and aluminium it purchases for its US operations comes from the United States.
"Nonetheless, the administration's decision to impose substantial steel and aluminum tariffs will adversely impact automakers, the automotive supplier community and consumers as this would substantially raise costs and therefore prices of cars and trucks sold in America," the Japanese firm said.
The United States is Toyota's top market, selling 2.4 million in 2017.
Trump's announcement sparked fears of a trade war and has already prompted sharp reactions from trading partners such as Canada, the European Union and Britain.
The move also rattled global stock markets, with U.S. stocks selling off sharply and Japanese equities following suit in early Friday trade.
Meanwhile, the Japanese government on Friday defended Japan's exports of steel and aluminum to the United States, Kyodo News reported.
"We don't think imports from Japan, an ally, have any effect at all on U.S. national security," Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko told a press conference.
Trump has not yet mentioned which countries will be subject to the tariffs, and Japan wants to be made an exception.
Seko said Japan will communicate its stance to the United States while gathering more information about the proposed tariffs, Kyodo reported.
© 2018 AFP/KYODO
- March 3, 2018
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