WASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) – U.S. President Donald Trump announced the imposition of new tariffs of 25 percent on all steel and aluminum imports, including those from Canada and Mexico.
While on board Air Force One bound for New Orleans to attend the Super Bowl 2025 finals, Trump had already reiterated his willingness to impose tariffs against all countries that have done the same to the U.S. “If they make us pay, we make them pay,” Trump said, “We pay 130 percent and we don’t charge anything, it’s not going to stay that way.
According to data reported by the American Iron and Steel Institute, the main sources of steel imports from the United States are Canada, Brazil and Mexico, followed by South Korea and Vietnam. On the other hand, for aluminum, Canada appears to be the main supplier to the United States with 79 percent of total imports in the first 11 months of 2024.
Trump described this measure as a tool to force concessions on immigration and to close the government’s budget deficit. The president had previously announced the imposition of 25 percent tariffs on all products from Canada and Mexico, but a week ago he suspended the proceedings for 30 days. On the same occasion, the tycoon had also added additional 10 percent tariffs on imports from China, which immediately responded with 15 percent duties on coal and liquefied natural gas products and also imposed a 10 percent tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery and large cars imported from the United States.
Trump also made it known that he would delay tariffs on millions of small packages from companies such as Temu and Shein until customs officials can find a way to impose them. The latest measures prompted immediate concern from several global trading partners.
During his first term Trump had already imposed tariffs of 25 percent on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum from Canada, Mexico, and the European Union, but the following year he reached an agreement with Canada and Mexico to remove the tariffs, but they remained in place for the European Union until 2021.
The tariffs had caused increased costs for automakers in the United States and for carbonated beverage manufacturers that use aluminum for their cans. The immediate consequence was higher prices for consumers.
– IPA Agency Photos –
(ITALPRESS).
