By Leika Kihara TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Tuesday that he would continue negotiations with the U.S. to seek a mutually beneficial trade deal, after President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on goods from Japan starting August 1.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio talks about countering China as it expands its global influence. But President Trump’s tariff threats have created friction with U.S. partners.

President Donald Trump’s trade wars continue. This week, Trump announced  25% tariffs on Japan and South Korea, set to go into effect on August 1. He also announced tariffs varying from 25% to 40% in countries including Myanmar,

Japan's trade deal with the U.S. must include tariff concessions for its vital automobile industry, top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa said on Tuesday, after President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on goods from Japan starting August 1.

Japan views tariffs on automobiles, one of the most important industries in the country, as a sticking point. Unlike most of the world, Japan remains intransigent on compromise.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pushed back against the idea there has been little progress in negotiations with the US on a trade deal as a deadline looms for a 24% across-the-board tariff to take force.

Japan must diversify its trade relationships beyond the U.S. to mitigate risks, according to Hirofumi Yoshimura of the Japan Innovation Party. He suggests expanding ties with pro-free trade countries to strengthen economic security.

Japan must diversify trade ties beyond the U.S. market to mitigate risks and focus on partnerships with countries favouring free trade, Hirofumi Yoshimura, co-representative of the opposition Japan Innovation Party,