U.S. Exempts Allies From Steel and Aluminum Tariffs

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said Thursday that several U.S. allies would initially be exempt from the steel and aluminum tariffs that are to come into effect shortly.

Speaking at a meeting of the Senate Finance Committee, Lighthizer said that the European Union, along with Argentina, Australia, Brazil and South Korea, would be exempted. Canada and Mexico were earlier left off the list of countries subject to the tariffs.

“The idea that the president has is that, based on a certain set of criteria, some countries should be out,” Lighthizer said. “What he has decided to do is pause the implementation of the tariffs in respect to those countries.”

His remarks will come as relief for the exempted countries, which have been lobbying hard in recent weeks to win a reprieve from the blanket tariffs, due to come into effect Friday. The leaders of several countries with close ties, including military alliances, with the United States had warned that the restrictions could touch off a trade war and undercut a global economic recovery.