Japan's Nikkei average dropped more than 1% in early trade on

Friday, as automakers tracked losses of their Wall Street

counterparts following U.S. President Donald Trump's

announcement of trade tariffs.

As of 0017 GMT, the Nikkei was down 1.5%

at 37,222.21.

The index was pulled down by a majority of stocks going

ex-dividend, resulting in a loss of around 300 points,

strategists said.

The broader Topix slipped 1.63% to 2,769.7.

Automakers Toyota Motor ( TM ) slumped 4.47%, making it

the worst performer in the Nikkei, while Honda Motor ( HMC )

dropped 4.26%. Both followed the overnight declines of General

Motors and Ford.

Earlier this week, Trump declared his plan to implement a

25% tariff on imported cars and light trucks, effective from

April 3, while the duty on auto parts begins on May 3.

Investors also braced for a wave of reciprocal tariffs that

Trump plans to unveil on Wednesday, although he has hinted there

may be room for flexibility.