US President Donald Trump says his 25-percent tariff on steel and aluminum imports will protect domestic industries. He adds that as a result, US Steel does not need to be bought by Japan's Nippon Steel.

Trump said: "As you know, in Pennsylvania, US Steel is through the roof. They're all through the roof. That's why I didn't want US Steel to make a deal with Japan or anybody else."

He didn't clarify if he would meet with Nippon Steel executives to discuss the issue.

Trump on February 7 said Nippon Steel had agreed to invest in rather than own US Steel. He also indicated he would hold talks with the Japanese company's executives this week. Those comments followed his summit talks with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru.