Trump’s Steel & Aluminum Tariffs Take Effect

Tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on imports of steel and aluminium have taken effect in a move that will likely escalate tensions with some of America's largest trading partners.

The measure raises a flat duty on steel and aluminium entering the US to 25 percent and ends all country exemptions to the levies. It sparked an immediate response from the European Union which said it will impose counter-tariffs on billions of Euros of US goods.

Trump hopes the tariffs will boost US steel and aluminium production, but critics say it will raise prices for US consumers and dent economic growth. The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), a group representing US steelmakers, welcomed the tariffs, saying they will create jobs and boost domestic steel manufacturing.

The US is a major importer of aluminium and steel, and Canada, Mexico and Brazil are among its largest suppliers of the metals.