"Deeply regrettable" is how Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has described US President Donald Trump's latest tariff threat - a 25% levy on Japanese goods. Tokyo, a long-time US ally, has been trying hard to avoid exactly this.

For many countries, the reprieve from President Donald Trump’s eye-watering tariffs, which were implemented on April 2 and temporarily reduced to 10% a week later, is soon set to come to an end. The 90-day pause,

President Trump’s ever-swerving tariff regime has taken more sharp turns this week.On July 7, his administration pushed back some of its most punishing duties by three more weeks to August, following a 90-day delay.

President Trump said the U.S. will impose steep levies on imports from 20 countries starting next month, raising pressure on trading partners.