The White House said on that it would postpone a decision on imposing tariffs on US imports of steel and aluminum from the European Union, Canada and Mexico for 30 days. The government wishes to avoid the potential for a trade battle with Europe as the US prepares for tense trade talks in China this week.
The Trump administration said that it had reached an agreement with South Korea on steel imports. The administration said it had also reached agreements in principle with Argentina, Australia and Brazil on steel and aluminum that will be finalised shortly.
Announcing the trade actions, the White House said “in all of these negotiations, the administration is focused on quotas that will restrain imports, prevent transshipment and protect the national security.”