Asian markets closed mixed early on Friday, with investors cautious over trade tensions after the U.S. announced tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from several of its allies would be reapplied.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 backtracked 30.47 points, or 0.1%, to 22,717.35.
Automakers were among the best-performing sectors, with gains also seen in materials and banks.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index added 24.35 points, or 0.1%, to 30,492.91, amid gains in developers and energy stocks.
Australian markets settled, with the energy and financial sectors contributing to the overall decline.
Trade concerns returned to the fore after the Trump administration said tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada, Mexico and the European Union would take effect Thursday midnight U.S. time. The countries had previously been exempted from those tariffs, originally announced in March.
Canada plans to impose dollar-for-dollar tariffs on the U.S. in retaliation, according to the country's foreign minister. The E.U., another U.S. ally, said it would introduce countermeasures.
In other markets
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 fell 31.79 points, or 0.8%, to 3,770.59
In Singapore, the Straits Times index dropped 0.67 points to 3,427.51
In Korea, the Kospi index gained 15.95 points, or 0.7%, to 2,438.96
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index picked up 74.12 points, or 0.7%, to 10,949.08
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 slid 22.63 points, or 0.3%, to 8,636.16
'In Australia, the ASX 200 lost 21.49 points, or 0.4%, to 5,990.39
