US President Donald Trump has confirmed that Argentina will not be exempted from the imposition of steep tariffs on steel and aluminium imports to the United States.<\/p>\n
The Republican leader this week signed executive orders imposing 25 percent tariffs on imports of the metals starting March 12. The move triggered a flurry of angry reactions from large producers, such as Mexico, Canada and the European Union.<\/p>\n
The decision is a blow to President Javier Milei, who has forged close ties with the Republican leader. Argentina’s steel and aluminium exports to the United States represent some US$600 million in annual trade.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a small deficit with Argentina, as with all countries,\u201d Trump said at a White House press conference, justifying the protectionist measure.\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to data from the INDEC national statistics bureau, bilateral trade with the United States produced a surplus of US$228 million last year, mainly due to a 27.9-percent drop in imports from the United States, as a result of Argentina\u2019s ongoing recession.<\/p>\n
In his executive order, Trump said \u00aball imports of aluminium articles and derivative aluminium articles from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Mexico, EU countries, and the UK\u00bb will be subject to additional tariffs.<\/p>\n
The same countries are named in his executive order on steel, along with Brazil, Japan and South Korea.<\/p>\n
Trump said he was \u00absimplifying\u00bb US tariffs, adding: \u00abIt’s 25 percent without exceptions or exemptions.\u00bb<\/p>\n
\u201cI don’t care about retaliatory countries,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said this week that the US is considering granting his nation an exemption after a phone call with Trump.<\/p>\n
Trump admitted that Australia may receive a reprieve as \u00abwe have a surplus due to the purchase of planes.\u00bb<\/p>\n
\n\u2013 TIMES\/NA\/AFP<\/p>\n
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