Trade Cases
Trump Said to Favor 24% Global Tariffs
Written by Sandy Williams
February 25, 2018
President Trump is favoring a 24 percent global tariff on steel imports, according to sources reported by multiple media outlets. Trump’s pick for Section 232 aluminum trade restrictions is a 10 percent tariff on all aluminum imports.
The rumors are contrary to analysts’ expectations of a more targeted tariff on imports. Broad-based tariffs are likely to be met with retaliation by global trading partners.
“As with every decision he makes, the security of the American people and the American economy will be the president’s primary concerns while he considers his potential options,” White House spokesman Raj Shah said in a statement. “President Trump is committed to achieving fair and reciprocal trade relationships that protect the American worker and grow our economy.”
Last week, the Pentagon issued a memo warning against broad measures that would impact key allies and favored a limited tariff on known abusers of trade. Economic adviser Gary Cohn and national security adviser H.R. McMaster are said to be against any action.
Although steel imports from China to the U.S. have dropped dramatically, the nation continues to be at the center of trade acrimony regarding steel overcapacity and alleged transshipment abuse. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer is expected to meet with senior Chinese economic adviser Liu He next week in Washington to discuss trade disputes.
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Trade Cases
Tariff fallout: Canada strikes back, Stellantis idles, GM boosts production
Canada imposes auto tariffs, while automaker Stellantis temporarily idles some plants.
Commerce tags UAE with ‘critical circumstances’ in CORE trade case, South Africa spared
The Commerce Department has made a preliminary determination that ‘critical circumstances’ exist for certain imports of corrosion-resistant (CORE) flat-rolled steel from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Commerce decided that critical circumstances did not apply to CORE from South Africa. The department also found that critical circumstances did not apply to CORE from UAE producers Al-Ghurair Iron & Steel LLC and United Iron & Steel Company LLC.
Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ brings 10% baseline tariffs; steel, aluminum, and autos/parts excluded
President Trump’s promised “Liberation Day” has arrived, with a 10% minimum tariff on imports. But there are some very important exceptions: The United States’ USMCA partners, Canada and Mexico, are excluded from the reciprocal tariffs for now. In addition, steel, aluminum, as well as autos and auto parts are excluded from the reciprocal tariffs. That’s […]
Price on Trade: Auto tariffs, auto parts, and Hyundai – a world of rapid changes
Trump's new auto tariffs will apply to passenger vehicles (including sedans, sport utility vehicles, crossover utility vehicles, minivans, and cargo vans), light trucks, and certain automobile parts (including engines and engine parts, transmissions and powertrain parts, and electrical components).
CRU: Canacero urges Mexico-US partnership to fend off Asian steel imports
Victor Cairo, head of Mexico’s steel sector body Canacero and CEO of ArcelorMittal Mexico, says he is confident negotiations between the Mexican and US governments planned for April 2 will lead to the creation of a regional block to substitute imports, especially from Asia.