Trump announced tariffs on imported steel and aluminum derivatives

      According to the report, the United States will raise tariffs on imported steel derivatives by another 25% and aluminum derivatives by another 10%. The tariff measures will come into effect on February 8. However, trump said Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and South Korea were exempt from additional tariffs on steel derivatives; Argentina, Australia, Canada and Mexico were exempt from additional tariffs on aluminum derivatives.

Reuters said trump had previously imposed tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum to boost production in the US of such products, which he called "national security issues.". Trump believes that imports of steel and aluminum have declined since tariffs were imposed, but imports of derivatives such as nails and aluminum cables have increased. "Foreign producers of these derivatives increased shipments of such products in the United States, bypassing tariffs on aluminum and steel products."

In March 2018, trump announced that it would impose tariffs of 25% and 10% on imported steel and aluminum products respectively, saying that the imported steel and aluminum products endanger the "national security" of the United States. Some countries, such as South Korea, Brazil and Argentina, subsequently agreed to impose quota restrictions on steel or aluminum products exported to the United States in exchange for tariff exemptions. The decision of trump government to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum products was strongly opposed by the international community. EU, Canada, Mexico and other economies have taken countermeasures against US steel and aluminum tariffs, and filed a complaint to the WTO dispute settlement mechanism.