Trump Announces New Steel and Aluminum Tariffs
Former President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 25% import tax on all steel and aluminum entering the U.S., a move expected to have the greatest impact on Canada.
Trump also indicated that later this week, he would announce reciprocal tariffs on countries that tax U.S. imports. However, he did not specify which nations would be targeted or if exemptions would be granted.
"If they charge us, we charge them," Trump stated.
This marks another escalation in Trump's trade policy, which has previously led to retaliation from China. Canada and Mexico, two of the U.S.'s largest steel trading partners, are particularly affected, with Canada being the top supplier of aluminum to the U.S.
During his first term, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on steel imports and a 10% tariff on aluminum imports from Canada, Mexico, and the European Union. A year later, a deal was reached to remove these tariffs for Canada and Mexico, but the EU tariffs remained until 2021.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump confirmed that the new tariffs would apply to all steel and aluminum imports.
"Any steel coming into the United States is going to have a 25% tariff," he said.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized Trump’s move, calling it "shifting goalposts and constant chaos, putting our economy at risk." Canada’s steel industry is heavily concentrated in Ontario.
Catherine Loubier, a Canadian political adviser, acknowledged the seriousness of Trump's stance but remained hopeful for a resolution due to the deep economic ties between the two nations.
"Hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs depend on steel and aluminum imports from Canada," she told the BBC. "Nobody wins with these tariffs."
Trump’s comments triggered a decline in shares of major South Korean steel and auto manufacturers, as South Korea is a key exporter of steel to the U.S.
Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that his government would push for an exemption, as Australia had previously secured one during Trump’s first term. Albanese also confirmed he had a meeting scheduled with the U.S. president to discuss the matter.
Trump attended a meet-and-greet, which included family members of the victims of this year’s New Orleans truck attack.Trump Announces Metal Tariffs Amid Escalating Trade Tensions with China
Trump’s announcement of new metal tariffs comes as China imposes retaliatory import taxes on select American goods.
China’s latest measures follow the U.S.'s decision last week to implement a 10% levy on all Chinese imports. In response, Beijing has introduced a 15% border tax on U.S. coal and liquefied natural gas, along with a 10% tariff on American crude oil, agricultural machinery, and large-engine vehicles.
Additionally, China has placed export controls on 25 rare metals, crucial components for various electronic products and military equipment.
Chinese government spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated, “There are no winners in a trade war or tariff battle. What is harmed are the interests of the people of both countries.” He urged the U.S. to “correct its erroneous approach and stop politicizing and weaponizing economic and trade issues.”
Victor Gao, a Chinese diplomat and economist, described the rare metal export restrictions as "direct retaliation" for U.S. policies limiting China's access to semiconductor chips and AI technologies. "This is truly tit-for-tat because China wants free trade for all of these things," he said. Gao also suggested that China would not suffer significant economic damage due to continued U.S. demand for affordable Chinese goods.
"Even with a 10% tariff, Chinese products remain competitive," he told the BBC.
Tariffs are central to Trump’s economic strategy, which he views as a means to boost the U.S. economy, protect jobs, and increase tax revenue.
Earlier this month, Trump threatened to impose a 25% import duty on Canadian and Mexican products but postponed the decision for 30 days—until early March—after discussions with the leaders of both countries.
He also enacted a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, prompting Beijing’s countermeasures, which took effect on Monday.
Trump has since vowed to announce additional retaliatory tariffs “on Tuesday or Wednesday,” stating that they would take effect “almost immediately” afterward.
“The ones that are taking advantage of the United States, we're going to have reciprocal tariffs,” he said. “It’ll be great for everybody, including other countries.”
Trump Declares ‘Gulf of America’ Day Amid Controversial Renaming of Gulf of Mexico
During his trip to New Orleans, Trump signed a proclamation designating February 9 as "Gulf of America Day" to commemorate his decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico. The announcement came as his plane flew over the body of water.
Mexico has pushed back against the move, arguing that the U.S. lacks the authority to rename the Gulf. Under UN regulations, a nation’s sovereignty extends only 12 nautical miles from its coastline, making international waters beyond that outside U.S. jurisdiction.
When asked whether he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump responded, “I don’t want to talk about it, and if we are talking, I don’t want to tell you about the conversations too early, but I do believe we’re making progress.”
He added, “I would imagine I would be meeting with Putin at the right time… at the appropriate time.”
Trump also repeated his controversial remarks about the U.S. potentially taking over Canada and the Gaza Strip, suggesting that Canada would be better off as the “51st state” and stating he was “committed to buying and owning Gaza.”
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