Washington: The United States has officially implemented a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports starting today.
In response, the European Union has announced retaliatory tariffs on over $28 billion worth of U.S. goods, set to take effect on April 1.
The UK’s trade minister expressed disappointment over the tariffs, stating that while Britain will maintain communication with the U.S. to protect business interests, it will keep all options open and respond in the national interest if necessary.
China also condemned the U.S. move, calling it a violation of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. Beijing warned that no one wins in a trade or tariff war and vowed to take all necessary steps to protect its rights and interests.
Japan and Australia also voiced concerns over the tariffs. The Japanese government stated that denying Japan an exemption would negatively impact bilateral economic ties. Meanwhile, Australia expressed disappointment, saying the decision contradicts the strong friendship between the two nations, though it confirmed that it would not impose retaliatory tariffs.
