US President Donald Trump has confirmed that Argentina will not be exempted from the imposition of steep tariffs on steel and aluminium imports to the United States.
The Republican leader this week signed executive orders imposing 25 percent tariffs on imports of the metals starting March 12. The move triggered a flurry of angry reactions from large producers, such as Mexico, Canada and the European Union.
The decision is a blow to President Javier Milei, who has forged close ties with the Republican leader. Argentina's steel and aluminium exports to the United States represent some US$600 million in annual trade.
“We have a small deficit with Argentina, as with all countries,” Trump said at a White House press conference, justifying the protectionist measure.
According to data from the INDEC national statistics bureau, bilateral trade with the United States produced a surplus of US$228 million last year, mainly due to a 27.9-percent drop in imports from the United States, as a result of Argentina’s ongoing recession.
In his executive order, Trump said "all imports of aluminium articles and derivative aluminium articles from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Mexico, EU countries, and the UK" will be subject to additional tariffs.
The same countries are named in his executive order on steel, along with Brazil, Japan and South Korea.
Trump said he was "simplifying" US tariffs, adding: "It's 25 percent without exceptions or exemptions."
“I don't care about retaliatory countries,” he stressed.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said this week that the US is considering granting his nation an exemption after a phone call with Trump.
Trump admitted that Australia may receive a reprieve as "we have a surplus due to the purchase of planes."
– TIMES/NA/AFP
Comments