FOREIGN POLICY/TARIFFS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “The Trump administration said it is in close talks with several allies and trading partners on exempting them from U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum, adding that some countries will face little threat of paying the duties while the negotiations are under way.
U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer, in the Trump administration’s most expansive comments to date, told a House committee Wednesday [3-21-18] that the U.S. is negotiating with Argentina, Australia, and the European Union and will soon begin discussions with Brazil. Mr. Lighthizer also indicated exemptions also may be in line for Canada, Mexico and South Korea, depending on the progress of broader trade negotiations with those nations.
The tariffs—25% on steel and 10% on aluminum—are set to take effect on Friday [3-23-18], but the talks over exemptions are likely to continue well into next month.”
-William Mauldin, “U.S. Signals Some Allies May Get Break on Metals Tariffs,” The Wall Street Journal online, Mar. 21, 2018 3:46 pm