The United States will move to impose 25-percent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports this week, President Donald Trump said Sunday (9), the latest in a slew of trade levies he has announced.
Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the tariffs, which he will announce on Monday, will apply to “any steel coming into the United States,” adding this will also affect aluminum.
Trump imposed similar tariffs during his 2017-2021 presidency to protect US industries, which he believed faced unfair competition from Asian and European countries.
Canada, which Trump has already threatened with tariffs, is the largest source of steel and aluminum imports to the United States, according to US trade data. Brazil, Mexico, and South Korea are also major steel providers to the country.
On Sunday (9), the Republican billionaire also said he would announce “reciprocal tariffs” to match his government’s levies to the rates charged by other countries on US products.
“Every country will be reciprocal,” Trump said, adding that he would make a detailed announcement on the tariffs on Tuesday (11) or Wednesday (12).
In response, French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Monday (10) the European Union will counter in kind and “replicate” any tariffs imposed on it.
“There is no hesitation when it comes to defending our interests,” he added during an interview with broadcaster TF1.
Trump has already shown his fondness for weaponizing the United States’ financial power, ordering tariffs on key trade partners China, Mexico and Canada soon after he took office.
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