President Donald Trump revealed on Sunday that the United States will impose a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports this week, marking the latest in a series of trade measures aimed at protecting domestic industries.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump confirmed that the tariffs, set to be officially announced on Monday, will apply to all steel entering the U.S. and will also extend to aluminum.
This move echoes similar tariffs Trump implemented during his 2017-2021 presidency, which were designed to shield U.S. industries from what he described as unfair competition from Asian and European countries. According to U.S. trade data, Canada—already threatened with tariffs by Trump—is the largest supplier of steel and aluminum to the U.S., followed by Brazil, Mexico, and South Korea.
In addition to the new tariffs, Trump announced plans to introduce “reciprocal tariffs” to match the rates other countries impose on U.S. exports. “Every country will be reciprocal,” he said, promising further details on the measures by Tuesday or Wednesday.
Trump has a history of leveraging tariffs as a tool to advance his policy goals. Early in his presidency, he imposed tariffs on key trade partners, including China, Mexico, and Canada. While he temporarily suspended tariffs on Canada and Mexico after both countries pledged to address issues like fentanyl trafficking and undocumented migration, tariffs on Chinese goods proceeded as planned. Since Tuesday, Chinese products entering the U.S. have faced an additional 10% levy.
In response, Beijing has targeted specific U.S. goods, such as coal and liquefied natural gas, with tariffs set to take effect on Monday. According to Goldman Sachs, the new Chinese tariffs cover $14 billion worth of U.S. goods, while U.S. tariffs impact $525 billion worth of Chinese products.
Global Pushback and Warnings
Trump’s tariff strategy has drawn criticism and warnings from global leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron, in an interview aired on Sunday, vowed to confront Trump over his financial threats to Europe. Macron argued that the U.S. should focus its efforts on China rather than targeting the European Union. He also cautioned that tariffs on European goods would increase costs and fuel inflation in the U.S.
Similarly, during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Trump hinted at potential tariffs on Japanese exports if the U.S. trade deficit with Japan is not eliminated. The U.S. trade deficit, which reached nearly $920 billion last year, remains a central focus of Trump’s trade policy.
Economic Impact and Domestic Concerns
Trump has consistently claimed that the burden of tariffs would fall on foreign exporters rather than U.S. consumers, a stance disputed by most economists. However, he recently acknowledged that Americans might experience some economic “pain” as a result of the tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China.
The president has also used tariffs as a bargaining chip to achieve broader policy objectives. For instance, he threatened to impose tariffs on Colombia after the country refused to accept U.S. military planes carrying deported migrants. Following a tense standoff, the Colombian government relented.
Trump’s latest tariff announcements reflect his ongoing commitment to reshaping global trade dynamics in favor of U.S. interests. While he has promised a “new golden age” for the country, the long-term economic and diplomatic consequences of these measures remain uncertain.
