The U.S.’s closest security allies in Asia, along with six Southeast Asian countries, have been given another three weeks to negotiate trade deals — or face higher tariffs.

President Donald Trump on Monday informed seven nations, including Japan and South Korea, that new tariffs of at least 25% will be imposed starting Aug. 1 on most goods sent to the United States.

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.

The government of Japan has slammed the latest tariff hike from US President Donald Trump, calling the action “truly regrettable” and warning that trade tensions could escalate if negotiations fail to gain traction.

Japan's trade negotiator Akazawa has said there is no point striking a deal with the US without an agreement on automobile tariffs.

In the months since, Tokyo's trade negotiators stuck to that strategy to avoid lowering barriers for imports of politically-sensitive products such as rice ahead of a dicey July 2