Donald Trump signed a directive that increases tariffs on steel and aluminum from 25% to 50% starting this Wednesday at midnight, as part of his trade war against most of the world’s economies to implement his protectionist agenda.
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In any case, the President of the United States has decided that the United Kingdom will receive “different treatment” for steel and aluminum imports, following the bilateral agreement signed at the beginning of May between the parties.
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Why did Trump decide to increase these tariffs?
“I have determined that it is necessary and appropriate to increase the tariff rate for imports of steel articles and steel derivatives, and aluminum articles and aluminum derivatives, from 25 percent ‘ad valorem’ to 50 percent ‘ad valorem’ as of 00:01 (local time) on June 4, 2025,” says the statement from Donald Trump.
According to Trump, the previous tariffs “have not yet allowed” domestic industries to “develop and maintain the necessary rates of capacity utilization”, although they “have helped provide critical support for prices in the US market”.
Letter to US business partners
Previously, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, sent a letter to trading partners reminding them that the deadline for tariff negotiations “is approaching.”
“This letter was simply to remind these countries that the deadline is approaching and that the president expects good agreements. We are on track to achieve it,” explained the spokesperson in a press conference where she assured that they are “in discussions with many” of the “key” partners.
Trump, in a new turnaround, suspended tariffs for 90 days in April to allow time for negotiations with its trading partners. After a phone call with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, he agreed to extend the 50 percent tariffs on the European Union until July 9th.