Trump claims that steel and aluminum will be subject to tariffs.

President Donald Trump has stated he will declare a 25% import tariff on all steel and aluminum coming into the US, a decision that will greatly affect Canada. Trump mentioned that an announcement would be made later in the week regarding reciprocal tariffs on all countries that impose taxes on imports from the US; however, he did not clarify which countries would be affected or whether any exceptions would apply.

“If they charge us, we will charge them,” Trump stated. This action signifies a further intensification in Trump’s trade policy, which has already provoked a response from China. Canada and Mexico rank among the largest steel trading partners of the US, with Canada serving as the top supplier of aluminium metal to the US.

Steel production in the United States is highly influenced by politics. Some contend that the nation must be able to manufacture sufficient high-quality steel to equip its military during a national crisis without depending on foreign imports. In his initial term, Trump imposed tariffs of 25% on steel imports and 10% on aluminium imports from Canada, Mexico, and the EU. However, a year later, the US struck an agreement with Canada and Mexico to eliminate those tariffs, while the EU import duties stayed in effect until 2021.

Trump said on Monday he would announce tariffs on “everybody” for steel and aluminium . “Any steel coming into the United States is going to have a 25% tariff,” he said.