US President Donald Trump announced plans to impose new 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, marking a significant escalation in his trade policy, according to Reuters.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One en route to the NFL Super Bowl in New Orleans, Trump revealed that the tariffs would be announced on Monday, with reciprocal tariffs on other countries to follow on Tuesday or Wednesday.
If they charge us, we charge them.
The move comes as Trump seeks to bolster domestic industries and address what he describes as unfair trade practices. The largest sources of US steel imports are Canada, Brazil, and Mexico, with Canada also supplying 79% of US primary aluminum imports.
However, Canadian Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne criticised the decision, stating that Canadian steel and aluminum were vital to US industries such as defence, shipbuilding, and automotive manufacturing.
Quebec Premier François Legault, meanwhile, urged immediate renegotiation of the US-Canada free trade agreement, warning that uncertainty over tariffs could disrupt supply chains.
Uncertainty over exemptions and quotas
During his first term, Trump imposed 25% tariffs on steel and 10% on aluminum but granted exemptions to several trading partners, including Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. Former President Joe Biden later negotiated duty-free quota arrangements with the UK, EU, and Japan. It remains unclear whether the exemptions and quotas will remain in place under the new tariffs.
Trump plans to hold a news conference on Tuesday or Wednesday to provide details on the reciprocal tariff plan, which he says will ensure the US is “treated evenly” by other countries.
He has long criticised the EU’s 10% tariff on auto imports, contrasting it with the US’s 2.5% rate on cars. However, the US maintains a 25% tariff on pickup trucks, a key profit source for American automakers.
The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States warned that the new tariffs could prompt the EU to reimpose retaliatory duties on American whiskey, potentially raising them to 50%.
Border security and tariff threats
In a separate interview, Trump criticised Canada and Mexico for insufficient efforts to secure their borders and halt the flow of drugs and migrants. He has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on all Mexican and Canadian imports unless stronger actions are taken by the March 1 deadline.
While both countries have made concessions—such as deploying additional troops and technology—Trump stated that these measures are “not good enough” and hinted at further changes.
The new tariffs and reciprocal measures underscore Trump’s aggressive approach to trade policy, which aims to protect domestic industries but risks escalating tensions with key allies and disrupting global supply chains.
