Japan's Nikkei falls, auto shares slump after US tariff announcement

Subaru

27/03/2025 24:30

TOKYO, March 27 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average fell on Thursday, weighed down by worries about the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's auto tariff announcement, with automakers leading the losses.

By 0022 GMT, the Nikkei .N225 fell 0.7%, trimming some of its more than 1% losses earlier in the session.

The broader Topix .TOPX slipped 0.45% to 2,800.37.

Trump on Wednesday unveiled a 25% tariff on imported cars and light trucks starting next week, widening the global trade war he kicked off upon regaining the White House this year in a move auto industry experts expect will drive up prices and stymie production.

Toyota Motor 7203.T lost 2.5% and Honda Motor 7267.T was down 2.1%, while Nissan Motor 7201.T slipped 3.6%.

Subaru 7270.T lost 5.6% to become the worst performer on the Nikkei.

The index for automakers .ITEQP.T lost 2.26%.

 (Reporting by Junko Fujita; Editing by Alan Barona)

 ((junko.fujita@thomsonreuters.com))