US President Donald Trump signs executive orders on steel, aluminium tariffs

US President Donald Trump has slapped 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. Photo / AFP

United States President Donald Trump today made good on a promise to slap 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, stepping up a long-promised trade war, despite warnings from Europe and China.

“Today, I’m simplifying our tariffs on steel and aluminium,” Trump said in the Oval Office as he signed executive orders. “It’s 25% without exceptions or exemptions.”

Trump also signalled he would look at imposing additional tariffs on automobiles, pharmaceuticals and computer chips.

Canada and Mexico — which Trump has already threatened with tariffs — are the biggest steel importers to the United States, according to US trade data. Brazil and South Korea are also major steel providers.

The US leader also confirmed he was considering an exemption for Australia from the steel tariffs.

“We have a (trade) surplus to Australia, one of the few. And the reason is they buy a lot of airplanes. They are rather far away and need lots of airplanes,” he said.

Just before Trump signed the documents, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said an exemption was on the table.

“The US President agreed an exemption was under consideration in the interests of both of our countries,” Albanese said.

Trump imposed sweeping tariffs during his 2017-2021 presidency to protect US industries, which he believed faced unfair competition from Asian and European countries.

© Agence France-Presse