Economic conditions & trends

Trump to Impose 25% Tariffs on All Steel, Aluminum Imports

FEB 10 2025·Updated FEB 11 2025

Story

Above: Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Feb. 3, 2025. Image credit: Anna Moneymaker/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images

The Facts

US Pres. Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday that he will implement a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports. The formal announcement is scheduled for Monday.
Washingtontimes
guardian
On his way from Florida to New Orleans, Trump said: "Any steel coming into the United States is going to have a 25 percent tariff. Aluminum, too." Canada is one of the largest suppliers of aluminum to the US.
www.ft.com
Breitbart
In addition, he plans to announce "reciprocal tariffs," which would match US tariff rates to those of trading partners, stating, "If they are charging us 130% and we're charging them nothing, it's not going to stay that way."
FOX News
Washingtontimes
These new tariffs would supplement existing duties, expanding beyond Trump's first-term tariffs of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum, which had previously granted exemptions to countries like Canada and Mexico.
guardian
www.ft.com
Following the announcement, share prices of steelmakers in Asia declined swiftly, except for those with operations in the US. Trump has already imposed 10% tariffs on imports from China starting Feb. 1.
Sky News
The Hill
Meanwhile, Australia is reportedly seeking an exemption from the planned tariffs, arguing that its steel and aluminum exports to the US have created "thousands of good-paying American jobs" and are crucial to shared defense interests.
www.ft.com
Sky News

Sources Split

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RIGHT

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The Spin

Pro-Trump narrative

The tariffs are essential for protecting American industry and ensuring fair trade practices. The current system allows other countries to take advantage of the US through unfair practices, and these measures will level the playing field for US firms and reduce dependence on foreign steel and aluminum.

Breitbart

Washingtontimes

Anti-Trump narrative

These tariffs will harm the global economy and trigger retaliatory measures from trading partners. The measures will increase costs for US manufacturers, potentially lead to job losses in steel-using industries, and risk sparking a broader trade war that could damage international economic cooperation.