While the U.S. Commerce Department announced Wednesday that it would grant tariff exceptions on steel products to firms in Japan and four other countries, the win may only be temporary as the policy change appears to be motivated by U.S. business interests rather than a sincere desire to shift away from protectionism, experts said Thursday.
As a result, Japanese negotiators are not expected to change their negotiating stance, continuing to push, both in public and behind the scenes, for the complete removal of the metal tariffs levied this spring.
Details of the exceptions showed that 42 exclusion requests were granted to seven companies in the U.S., allowing them to purchase certain steel products from abroad without being compelled to pay the 25 percent levy implemented in April this year.