President Donald Trump has signed an order imposing sweeping new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports despite protests from overseas and members of his own party, The Independent reports.
Prior to officially authorising the tariffs, Mr Trump promised to show “great flexibility and cooperation toward those that are real friends and treat us fairly on both trade and the military.” After a week of intense lobbying from members of Congress, world leaders and other stakeholders, he has agreed to exempt, at least for now, Canada and Mexico from the tariffs.
He has also left open the possibility of later excluding allies such as Australia. But the order, which would go into effect in 15 days, could hit South Korea, China, Japan, Germany, Turkey and Brazil.
“The actions we are taking today are not a matter of choice, they are a matter of necessity for our security,” Mr Trump said in a ceremony at the White House that was attended by several steel and aluminum workers, some of whom spoke of how excessive “dumping” of steel and aluminum imports had negatively affected their jobs and families.
Mr Trump said he was fulfilling a campaign promise by imposing the tariffs, asserting that support from steelworkers was part of the reason why he won the presidency.
American steel and aluminum workers have been betrayed, Mr Trump added, but “that betrayal is now over.”