President Trump announced his plan to sign into law a sweeping import tariff on all steel and aluminum goods produced outside the United States Thursday; temporarily excluding Canada and Mexico as the White House renegotiates NAFTA in the coming months.
According to Fox News, the Trump administration is placing a 25% import tax on all foreign-produced steel and a 10% tax on aluminum “across the board.”
TARIFFS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
“We have to protect & build our Steel and Aluminum Industries while at the same time showing great flexibility and cooperation toward those that are real friends and treat us fairly on both trade and the military,” the president tweeted Thursday.
The White House confirmed that both Canada and Mexico would be excluded from the international tariffs while the US and its neighbors enter renegotiations surrounding the North American Free Trade Agreement.
“If that negotiation is unsuccessful then tariffs will be applied across the board,” Peter Navarro, Director of the White House National Trade Council told Fox News. “Now, importantly, in addition to that, there is language that will allow other countries to effectively propose ways that they could get a similar dispensation in exchange for more fair and reciprocal trade with the United States.”
AMERICA FIRST: Trump Announces STEEL IMPORT TARIFFS
President Trump unveiled stiff import tariffs on steel and aluminum Thursday, making good on his campaign promise to rebuild American industry in the face of cheap and unregulated foreign goods.
The President announced the new trade guidelines during a meeting with industry experts, many of whom told the President it was nearly impossible to compete with underpriced metals flowing into the country from Asia.
“What’s been allowed to go on for decades is disgraceful,” Trump told industry leaders. “And when it comes to a time when our country can’t make aluminum and steel, and somebody said it before and I will tell you, you almost don’t have much of a country. Because without steel and aluminum, your country is not the same. We need it. We need it even for defense.”
“We need great steel makers. Great aluminum makers for defense. So, we will probably see you some time next week. We will be signing it in. You have protection for the first time in a long while and you are going to regrow your industries. That’s all I’m asking. You have to regrow your industries,” added the President.
Watch the President’s comments above.
BRING IT ON: President Trump Says US Would ‘EASILY WIN’ Any Trade War
President Trump reassured the American public Friday that the United States would “easily win” a trade war with China or any other nation; easing concerns after he announced dramatic new tariffs on foreign-produced steel and aluminum.
The President slammed his predecessors’ decisions on trade and manufacturing on social media, saying a vibrant steel industry was vital to the national security of any nation.
“When a country (USA) is losing many billions of dollars on trade with virtually every country it does business with, trade wars are good, and easy to win. Example, when we are down $100 billion with a certain country and they get cute, don’t trade anymore-we win big. It’s easy!” Trump tweeted.
“When a country Taxes our products coming in at, say, 50%, and we Tax the same product coming into our country at ZERO, not fair or smart. We will soon be starting RECIPROCAL TAXES so that we will charge the same thing as they charge us. $800 Billion Trade Deficit-have no choice!” he added.
When a country (USA) is losing many billions of dollars on trade with virtually every country it does business with, trade wars are good, and easy to win. Example, when we are down $100 billion with a certain country and they get cute, don’t trade anymore-we win big. It’s easy!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 2, 2018
When a country Taxes our products coming in at, say, 50%, and we Tax the same product coming into our country at ZERO, not fair or smart. We will soon be starting RECIPROCAL TAXES so that we will charge the same thing as they charge us. $800 Billion Trade Deficit-have no choice!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 2, 2018
The President’s comments come hours after he suddenly announced the new tariffs during a meeting with industry leaders, telling the executives “You have protection for the first time in a long while and you are going to regrow your industries.”