In a dramatic escalation of trade protectionism, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a sharp increase in Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, raising them from 25% to 50%, effective Wednesday, June 4, in a bid to strengthen the domestic steel industry.
Speaking at a rally in Pittsburgh, Trump justified the move as “vital for American manufacturing and national security”, while accusing China of reneging on recent trade agreements reached in Geneva. He did not offer specific evidence to support the claim.
The decision drew immediate international condemnation:
-
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce called the tariff hike "antithetical to North American economic security".
-
Canada’s United Steelworkers labeled it a “direct attack on Canadian industries and workers”.
-
The European Commission stated the move “undermines ongoing efforts to reach a negotiated solution”, noting the EU had paused its retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods in good faith. A spokesperson warned that “Europe is ready to retaliate” if necessary.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Ministry of Economy rejected Trump's accusations, insisting that China had honored the terms of the Geneva accord, and blamed the U.S. for implementing “discriminatory restrictions” instead.
The sharp tariff hike is expected to inflame trade tensions globally, with potential repercussions for supply chains, inflation, and diplomatic relations.
VietnamSteel by Hoa Sen Group
