White House holds firm on tariff exemptions

But lawmakers, industry defend Canada’s status

WASHINGTON— The Trump administration is coming under political pressure at home to exclude Canada from global tariffs on steel and aluminum, and while stating its preference for a hard line, it’s leaving the door open just the tiniest crack to the possibility of adjustments.

Lawmakers, businesses and hosts on the Sunday political talk shows all challenged the logic of slapping a nationalsecurity tariff on a peaceful next-door neighbour, pushing the administration to justify its move.

The administration says a final announcement is coming next week. On Sunday, it sig- nalled that U.S. President Donald Trump is leaning toward a no-exceptions-for-anyone attitude — but then added some potential asterisks.

While no countries will be excluded, Navarro said some industries could get exemptions. This is of keen interest to Canada’s auto sector, a leading supplier of steel and aluminum to the U.S.: “There’ll be an exemption procedure for particular cases where we need to have exemptions so business can move forward,” Trump adviser Peter Navarro said on CNN.

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross held out the slim prospect of some changes: “We shall see” he told NBC’s Meet The Press. “(Trump) has made a decision at this point,” he said of the 25-per-cent tariff for steel and 10-per-cent tariff for aluminum. “If he for some reason should change his mind, then it’ll change. I have no reason to believe he’s going to change his mind.’ ”

CNN’s Jake Tapper asked Navarro to imagine how Canada might see this: “Canada would say, ‘National security exemption? We fight with you in every war … What possible scenario could you envision where we wouldn’t supply you with steel and aluminum?’ ”