Trump to Announce 25% Tariff on Steel and Aluminum Imports

President Donald Trump has revealed plans to impose a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports into the United States, a decision expected to have the greatest impact on Canada, the country’s largest supplier of these materials.

Speaking to reporters while traveling from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida to the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Sunday, Trump stated that an additional announcement would be made later in the week regarding reciprocal tariffs on countries that impose duties on U.S. imports. However, he did not specify which nations would be affected or whether any exemptions would be granted.

"If they charge us, we charge them," Trump asserted, signaling a firm stance on trade policies aimed at countering foreign tariffs on American goods.

Trump Announces New Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum Imports

President Donald Trump has declared plans to impose a 25% tariff on all steel imports and a 10% tariff on aluminum imports, impacting major trading partners, including Canada and Mexico. Canada remains the largest supplier of aluminum to the U.S., while both countries are among the top steel exporters to the American market.

During his first term, Trump introduced similar tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada, Mexico, and the European Union. However, a year later, a deal was reached to remove the tariffs for Canada and Mexico, while duties on EU imports remained until 2021.

Speaking aboard Air Force One on Monday, Trump reiterated his hardline stance, stating, "Any steel coming into the United States is going to have a 25% tariff," adding that the new measures would apply to "everybody."

The announcement has sparked criticism from Canadian officials. Doug Ford, premier of Ontario—home to much of Canada’s steel production—condemned the move, calling it an example of "shifting goalposts and constant chaos, putting our economy at risk."

The market reaction was swift, with shares of major South Korean steel and automotive companies declining following the news. POSCO Holdings, a leading steel manufacturer, saw its stock fall by as much as 3.6%, while Hyundai Steel dropped 2.9%. Automaker Kia Corp also experienced a 3.6% decline in early trading.

Trump’s latest tariff decision represents a significant escalation in trade tensions, adding to ongoing disputes with China and raising concerns about potential retaliatory actions from affected nations.

Trump Doubles Down on Tariffs, Plans More Trade Measures

Tariffs remain a key pillar of President Donald Trump’s economic strategy, which he views as a means to strengthen the U.S. economy, safeguard domestic jobs, and boost tax revenue.

Earlier this month, Trump threatened to impose a 25% import duty on Canadian and Mexican products but later postponed the decision for 30 days—until early March—after discussions with the leaders of both nations.

In addition, the U.S. has imposed a fresh 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, prompting Beijing to respond with its own retaliatory measures, which took effect on Monday.

Speaking on his trade policy, Trump revealed that additional tit-for-tat tariffs would be announced on "Tuesday or Wednesday" and would take effect "almost immediately" thereafter.

"The ones that are taking advantage of the United States, we're going to have reciprocal [tariffs]," he stated. "It'll be great for everybody, including other countries."

The move signals another major escalation in Trump’s aggressive trade stance, with global markets and international partners closely watching for further developments.

Trump Declares ‘Gulf of America’ Day, Hints at Talks with Putin

During his trip to New Orleans, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation designating February 9 as "Gulf of America Day" in recognition of his executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico. The move, made as Air Force One flew over the body of water, has sparked backlash from Mexico, which argues that the U.S. has no legal authority to change the name. According to United Nations regulations, a nation's sovereign territory extends only 12 nautical miles from its coastline, making the Gulf an international body of water.

When asked about his communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump was evasive, stating, "I don't want to talk about it, and if we are talking, I don't want to tell you about the conversations too early, but I do believe we're making progress." He also suggested that a future meeting with Putin would happen "at the right time… at the appropriate time."

In addition, Trump reiterated his controversial and improbable claims that the United States could take control of Canada and the Gaza Strip. He suggested that Canada would be better off as the "51st state" and declared his "commitment to buying and owning Gaza," though he did not elaborate on how such a move would be possible.

The statements add to the growing list of bold and contentious remarks made by Trump in recent weeks, as he continues to push his aggressive policies on trade and international relations.

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