The US government's decision to increase tariffs on steel and aluminum on Thursday, June 10, has provoked reactions from the European Union, Canada, and Mexico. The President of France has called the tariff increases illegal, and Canada has stated it will take retaliatory measures. Wilbur Ross, the US Secretary of Commerce, announced on Thursday that new tariffs would be imposed on steel and aluminum imports from Canada, Mexico, and the European Union. According to Reuters, Ross stated that a 25% tariff on steel imports and a 10% tariff on aluminum imports would take effect from Friday. The US Secretary of Commerce mentioned that they wish to continue negotiations with Canada, Mexico, and the European Commission, as there are issues that need to be resolved. In this context, the Élysée Palace announced that Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, told US President Donald Trump in a phone conversation that the imposition of tariffs by the US is illegal and that the European Union will respond appropriately. Macron previously stated that the imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum does not comply with international trade laws agreed upon by the US, France, and Europe. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also stated that the US government unfortunately took an action today that would lead to retaliatory responses. Trudeau deemed the increase in tariffs on metals by the US government as 'completely unacceptable.' Bruno Le Maire, the French Minister of Economy, also stated on Thursday after meeting with Wilbur Ross that it entirely depends on the US government officials whether they want to engage in a trade conflict with their largest partner, Europe. Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the European Commission, also called the US decision regarding tariffs completely unacceptable and stated that he has filed a complaint against this decision with the relevant bodies of the World Trade Organization. Reuters reports that a group of economists believe the current situation could lead to a trade war with the European Union. These economists consider Trump's order last week for an investigation into car and truck imports to the US as a precursor to the imposition of new tariffs. The Trump administration has granted permanent exemptions to some countries, such as Australia, Argentina, and South Korea, regarding steel and aluminum, but these countries must also comply with quotas when exporting to the US. Since the beginning of his presidency, Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that he intends to revive US industries by increasing support for domestic products and is considering more tariffs on imported goods to the US.
France and Canada React to US Decision to Impose Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum
The US has announced new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada, Mexico, and the EU, prompting strong reactions from France and Canada, who deem the tariffs illegal and unacceptable. This move could escalate into a trade war, affecting international relations and economic stability.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The US has announced new tariffs of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum imports from Canada, Mexico, and the EU, prompting strong condemnation from France and Canada. Both countries have indicated they will retaliate against these tariffs, which they deem illegal.
- The tariffs are set to take effect immediately, escalating tensions in international trade.
- The EU and Canada are considering retaliatory measures and have expressed intentions to challenge the tariffs through international trade bodies.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The US has been increasingly using tariffs as a tool to protect domestic industries, which has led to tensions with traditional allies. This situation is part of a larger trend of rising protectionism in global trade.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%