Following White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's statement that more letters are expected soon, the United States President posted five more letters to Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Lao People's Democratic Republic, and South Africa. 25 percent tariff has been imposed on Tunisia on its imports.

Donald Trump's insistence that "spoiled" Japan imports more US rice is adding to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's problems ahead of elections that could sink his premiership after less than a year in office.

President Donald Trump this week dressed up a retreat in his trade war – delaying the imposition of tariffs from today to Aug. 1 – as a counterattack. He sent letters to 20 countries including Japan and South Korea threatening steep duties if they have not made a deal by the new deadline.

Trump shared screenshots of letters detailing new tariff rates for over a dozen countries, allowing room for further negotiations before the renewed deadline of Aug. 1.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met counterparts in Southeast Asia during his first visit to the region since taking office.

The Japanese government announced Tuesday it plans to negotiate with the Trump administration over a planned increase in the tariff rate placed on it, even if it was painful news to receive.

The Trump administration announced that some deals had been made with trading partners, and letters would be sent out on Monday notifying other countries of higher tariffs starting in August.

TOKYO (Reuters) -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, said on Monday.