Trump: "Steel and Aluminum Tariffs to Take Effect Next Week as Scheduled"

Plan to Impose Reciprocal Tariffs on April 2 Reaffirmed
25% Tariffs on Mexico and Canada Delayed Again
Executive Order to Allow Logging in the U.S. to Be Signed Soon

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he will not delay the tariffs on steel and aluminum scheduled for the 12th. He also said that the reciprocal tariffs planned for April 2nd will be imposed as scheduled. However, he once again delayed a significant portion of the 25% tariffs imposed on Mexico and Canada, increasing uncertainty in tariff policies.

On the 6th (local time), President Trump met with reporters in the White House Oval Office and responded to the question, "Will the steel and aluminum tariffs be adjusted?" by saying, "No. They will not be adjusted. They will take effect next week."

Earlier, President Trump had decided last month to impose a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum starting from the 12th without exceptions or exemptions. Accordingly, South Korea, which had previously enjoyed duty-free treatment for steel exports to the U.S., will be subject to a 25% tariff from the 12th onward.

He also reaffirmed the plan to impose reciprocal tariffs. President Trump said, "The big one (tariff) is the reciprocal tariff on April 2nd," adding, "Most tariffs will begin on April 2nd."

On the same day, President Trump continued his inconsistent approach by instructing to delay a significant portion of the 25% tariffs imposed on Mexico and Canada since the 4th until April 2nd. This is the third time Trump has delayed tariffs on Mexico. Initially, on the 4th of last month, Trump announced 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada but reversed the decision a day before by saying, "I will delay for a month." This move is interpreted as a response to backlash from businesses and the American public following the expansion of the U.S. trade deficit and stock market crashes last month.

Regarding this decision, he explained, "It is just a short-term adjustment. I did not want to harm Americans. The tariffs would have hurt American car companies." He also added that he will not extend the one-month tariff exemption on Canadian and Mexican automobiles.

The New York Times (NYT) criticized President Trump's "brinkmanship" by stating, "This approach caused stock markets to plummet and sowed anxiety and confusion in industries dependent on trade with Canada and Mexico, which account for more than a quarter of U.S. imports and nearly a third of U.S. exports."

He also mentioned plans to sign an executive order allowing more logging in U.S. forests, arguing that the U.S. does not need to import raw timber from Canada.