Trump aims to impose tariffs on steel, aluminium imports from EU: Report

President Donald Trump intends to impose steep import duties on steel and aluminium imports from Europe starting Friday, after weeks of talks failed to reach a compromise, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

Trade officials from Washington and Brussels had continued discussions to find a solution, such as import quotas, that would convince Trump to extend the exemption for the European Union from the 25 per cent tariff on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium.

But The Wall Street Journal cited people familiar with the matter saying a last minute deal appeared unlikely, and the tariff announcement could come as early as Thursday.

Trump imposed the tariffs in March to address global oversupply of the metals, but though it was largely aimed at China it hit US allies as well.

Washington exempted Canada and Mexico from the tariffs while negotiations continue to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement, and South Korea agreed to quotas instead of tariffs.

Trump aims to impose tariffs on steel, aluminium imports from EU: Report

President Donald Trump intends to impose steep import duties on steel and aluminium imports from Europe starting Friday, after weeks of talks failed to reach a compromise, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

Trade officials from Washington and Brussels had continued discussions to find a solution, such as import quotas, that would convince Trump to extend the exemption for the European Union from the 25 per cent tariff on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium.

But The Wall Street Journal cited people familiar with the matter saying a last minute deal appeared unlikely, and the tariff announcement could come as early as Thursday.

Trump imposed the tariffs in March to address global oversupply of the metals, but though it was largely aimed at China it hit US allies as well.

Trump promised not to impose tariffs on Australian steel: Malcolm Turnbull

Australia has secured an exemption from metals tariffs announced last week by U.S. President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told the media.


Trump confirmed the exemption in an early Saturday morning call between the two leaders, Turnbull said. He said the conversation also touched on the security alliance between the US and Australia, as well as possible talks between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.


“I was very pleased the president was able to confirm that he would not have to impose tariffs on Australian steel and aluminum,” Turnbull said. “It was a very good and productive discussion with the president."


Turnbull said the two leaders discussed the importance of a “fair and reciprocal” trade relationship between Australia and the US.

Trump speaks with world leaders, no tariff exemptions: US commerce secy

US President Donald Trump has spoken to world leaders about his planned tariff hikes on steel and aluminium and is not considering any exemptions to the measure, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said on Sunday.

"I know he's had conversations with a number of the world leaders," Ross said in an interview with ABC's "This Week."

"The decision obviously is his, but as of the moment, as far as I know, he's talking about a fairly broad brush.

I have not heard him describe particular exemptions just yet," Ross said.

On Thursday, Trump said the United States would apply duties of 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminum to protect domestic producers, drawing a fire storm of criticism from trading partners and triggering a slide in stock markets.