MUNICH — Japan has formally requested an exemption from US President Donald Trump’s planned 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum, as well as other reciprocal tariffs, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported on Sunday.

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya made the request during a brief exchange with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

Iwaya also expressed Japan’s desire to hold high-level security talks between the two nations’ foreign and defense ministers “at an early date.”

According to a statement from Japan’s Foreign Ministry, the two top diplomats agreed to maintain close communication to further strengthen US-Japan economic relations.

Trump’s tariff measures are part of his "America First" trade policy, which has sparked concern among key US allies and trading partners.

Last week, Trump signed proclamations imposing 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, set to take effect on March 12.

The US is one of Japan’s largest trading partners, with Tokyo exporting a wide range of products, including automobiles and electronics. In 2023, Japan recorded an 8.64 trillion yen ($57 billion) trade surplus with the US, according to Japanese government data. — Agencies