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US softens stance on metal tariffs

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Published: 02:34, 8 March 2018   Update: 15:18, 26 July 2020
 US softens stance on metal tariffs

International Desk: The White House says there could be exemptions to US plans to impose tariffs on metal imports, in a softening of its tough stance.

Canada, Mexico and other countries may see "carve-outs" on national security grounds, press secretary Sarah Sanders said.

US President Donald Trump has said steel products will face a 25% tariff, with 10% on aluminium goods.

But there are fears the plans could spark a trade war.

The EU has proposed retaliatory measures against a number of US goods including bourbon and peanut butter.

Despite opposition at home and abroad, Ms Sanders said the US president would sign the measures in by the end of the week, with US media reporting it could happen as early as Thursday.

But she added: "There are potential carve-outs for Mexico and Canada based on national security, and possibly other countries as well based on that process. That would be [on] a case-by-case and country by country basis."

Mr Trump has railed against the US trade deficit, arguing that other countries have been "taking advantage of" the US for decades.

One of his campaign promises was to rebuild the US steel and aluminium industries which he said has suffered "disgraceful" treatment from other countries, in particular cheap Chinese imports.

Last week he dismissed concerns he could trigger a trade war, instead saying "trade wars are good" and were something the US would easily win.

Mr Trump has already hinted he could drop plans to impose tariffs on Mexican and Canadian metals but linked it to the US getting a better deal in the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Mexico and Canada are among the main suppliers of steel to the US.

Source: BBC


risingbd/March 8, 2018/Mukul

 

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