The Latest on President Donald Trump and trade penalties on steel and aluminum imports (all times local):
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12:35 p.m.
President Donald Trump has told steel and aluminum executives that he’ll impose import tariffs ‘next week’ in a bid to boost U.S. manufacturers.
His words to the executives: “You will have protection for the first time in a long while.”
The president spoke at a hastily called meeting White House after hours of confusion over what — if anything — he was going to announce.
Trump tells reporters the import tariffs will be 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum.
Trump ordered a Commerce Department review of imports of both metals last year. He has until April to formally decide whether to support the department’s recommendation to impose tariffs.
The move has raised concerns that it could launch a trade war with China.
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10:50 a.m.
President Donald Trump is bringing steel and aluminum industry executives to the White House on Thursday amid speculation he may impose tariffs or quotas on steel and aluminum imports.
It was unclear what Trump may announce amid internal wrangling on the decision. Thursday’s event caught some top White House officials off guard and left several aides scrambling for details. That’s according to a person familiar with the process who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe internal deliberations.
Trump tweeted Thursday that many U.S industries, including steel and aluminum “have been decimated by decades of unfair trade and bad policy with countries from around the world. We must not let our country, companies and workers be taken advantage of any longer. We want free, fair and SMART TRADE!”
Plans for Trump to announce a decision Thursday were thrown into doubt amid internal wrangling over the issue.
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8:55 a.m.
A White House official says President Donald Trump plans to announce Thursday whether he’ll impose tariffs or quotas on steel and aluminum imports.
Increased foreign production, especially by China, has driven down prices and hurt American producers.
Trump defended the U.S. steel and aluminum industries in a tweet Thursday, saying they “have been decimated by decades of unfair trade and policy with country from around the world” and that “We want free, fair and SMART TRADE!”
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross last month offered Trump three options, including tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports from all countries, tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from some countries, or quotas on steel and aluminum imports from everywhere.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the White House hasn’t announced the president’s decision.
—Associated Press writer Darlene Superville.
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7:40 a.m.
President Donald Trump is defending the U.S. steel and aluminum industries as he faces deadlines on whether to impose tariffs or quotas on imports of both products.
Increased foreign production, especially by China, has driven down prices and hurt American producers, and the Commerce Department calls the situation a national security threat.
Trump tweets that many U.S industries, including steel and aluminum “have been decimated by decades of unfair trade and bad policy with countries from around the world. We must not let our country, companies and workers be taken advantage of any longer. We want free, fair and SMART TRADE!”
Trump has to make decisions on steel by April 11 and on aluminum by April 19.
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