Lower US tariffs on Japanese autos are set to take effect this week, a Commerce Department notice confirmed Monday, as Washington implements a recent trade pact it had negotiated with Tokyo.

Starting Tuesday, Japanese autos entering the United States will face a 15-percent tariff instead of 27.5 percent, providing manufacturers some reprieve from President Donald Trump's fresh duties this year.

Since returning to the presidency in January, Trump has targeted specific sectors with tariffs, and imported automobiles and parts face a 25-percent duty.

This dealt a blow to Japanese automakers, for whom the 25-percent duty piled atop an existing 2.5-percent tariff -- bringing the overall level to 27.5 percent.

For goods falling outside specifically targeted sectors, Trump has also imposed a s

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