- New tariffs are scheduled to take effect on March 12
- EU plans countermeasures, may reactivate 2018 tariffs
- Canada to defend against tariffs, highlights negative impact on trade
WASHINGTON/BRUSSELS, Feb 11 (Reuters) – Mexico, Canada and the European Union on Tuesday condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports next month, a move that has fanned fears of a trade war.
Trump signed proclamations late on Monday raising the U.S. tariff rate on aluminium to 25% from his previous 10% rate and eliminating country exceptions and quota deals as well as hundreds of thousands of product-specific tariff exclusions for both metals.
The measures, which will take effect on March 12, will apply to millions of tons of steel and aluminium imports from Canada, Brazil, Mexico, South Korea and other countries that had been entering the U.S. duty-free under the carve-outs.
Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Tuesday that the tariff decision was “not justified” and “unfair”.
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the tariffs “unacceptable”.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen joined the condemnation, saying the 27-nation bloc would take “firm and proportionate countermeasures”. Von der Leyen was meeting U.S. Vice President JD Vance at an AI summit in Paris on Tuesday.
The move will simplify tariffs on the metals “so that everyone can understand exactly what it means,” Trump told reporters. “It’s 25% without exceptions or exemptions. That’s all countries, no matter where it comes from, all countries.”
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE BY Steve Holland and Philip Blenkinsop ON REUTERS
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