Japan Delays Tariffs on Steel From U.S.

In a temporary victory for U.S. steel, Japan said it would delay slapping U.S. imports with 100% tariffs in a bid to ease the growing steel row with its biggest trade partner.

Japan had threatened the retaliatory measures on June 18 if the United States failed to exclude Japanese products from safeguard tariffs levied in March by President Bush.

But Trade Minister Takeo Hiranuma called off the plan after a phone conversation with U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick.

“We got the impression that the United States was being constructive and taking into account our interests as well,” Hiranuma said in a statement.

“Minister Hiranuma got the impression that the United States is constructively reviewing our priorities” and decided on the delay to smooth ongoing negotiations, the official said.