Trump to impose 25% tariff on steel, aluminium imports

US President Donald Trump says he will impose 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports into the country.

According to a report by Reuters, Trump spoke to journalists on Air Force One on his way to the NFL Super Bowl in New Orleans, on Sunday.

The US president said he will announce the new metal tariffs on Monday.

“Any steel coming to the United States is going to have them 25 per cent tariff,” Trump said.

Trump also said he would announce reciprocal tariffs on Tuesday or Wednesday, which will take effect almost immediately, applying to all countries and matching the tariff rates levied by each country

“And very simply, it’s, if they charge us, we charge them,” he said.

The president also said while the U.S. government would allow Japan’s Nippon steel to invest in U.S. steel, it would not allow the company to become a majority stake.

“Tariffs are going to make it very successful again, and I think it has good management,” he added.

The largest sources of U.S. steel imports are Canada, Brazil and Mexico, followed by South Korea and Vietnam, according to government and American Iron and Steel Institute data cited by Reuters.

Canada, with its abundant hydropower, is said to be the largest supplier of primary aluminium metal to the United States, accounting for 79 percent of total imports in the first eleven months of 2024.

Speaking on the matter on Monday, Francois-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s innovation minister, said “Canadian steel and aluminum support key industries in the U.S. from defence, shipbuilding and auto”.

“This is making North America more competitive and secure,” Champagne posted.

“We will continue to stand up for Canada, our workers, and our industries”

On February 2, the US president signed economic orders imposing significant new tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China.

According to the Trump administration, the tariffs are aimed at curbing the inflow of drugs and undocumented immigrants.