Japan’s exports rose at a faster clip in January as businesses ramped up orders just as US President Donald Trump unleashed a barrage of protectionist policies expected to take effect in coming months.

Japan has recorded a trade deficit of 2.76 trillion yen, or $18 billion, in January, as worries continue to grow about impending tariffs from the administration of U.S.

Japan’s longstanding trade surplus with the U.S. continues to risk the ire of Trump, who favors using levies to close trade gaps with other nations. Japan’s trade surplus with the U.S. was ¥477 billion in January. Auto exports to the U.S. surged 21.8% in the month.

Japan 's government said Wednesday it asked the U.S. to exclude it from 25% steel and aluminum tariffs, a change from duty-free quotas that Tokyo was given previously. Japan made the request through its embassy in Washington after U.

The measures announced by Trump are part of his aggressive push to reset global trade in the belief that tax hikes on foreign-made products will strengthen domestic manufacturing.

U.S. tariffs could cause the prices of steel and aluminum cans to rise, an increase that may ultimately be passed on to consumers.