Japan’s exports increase as Trump policies loom

Japan’s trade balance swung back into the red, with a deficit of 2.76 trillion yen, the largest in two years. — Bloomberg

TOKYO: Japan’s exports rose at a faster clip in January as businesses ramped up orders just as US president Donald Trump unleashes a barrage of protectionist policies set to take effect in the coming months.

Exports measured by value increased 7.2% from a year earlier led by shipments of cars and ships, the Finance Ministry reported yesterday.