Japan demanded concessions for its large automobile industry, while South Korea said it planned to intensify trade talks over the coming weeks "to reach a mutually beneficial result."

President Donald Trump unveiled the first in a wave of promised letters that threaten to impose higher tariffs rates on key trading partners, including levies of 25% on goods from Japan and South Korea beginning Aug.

President Trump says the US will impose a raft of import taxes on 14 countries after delaying his Liberation Day tariffs.