Trump’s steel tariff plans cause concern

DONALD Trump said that “trade wars are good” as he prepared to impose a 25% tariff on steel imports – raising fears of “serious damage” to the industry in the UK.

The US President also plans a 10% tariff on aluminium imports, warning that his country’s metal industries were being “decimated”. Trade association UK Steel said the proposed measures would be an “extremely blunt” reaction to a complex global problem.

Brussels indicated it could retaliate if the tariffs hit EU exports.

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said: “We will not sit idly while our industry is hit with unfair measures that put thousands of European jobs at risk.” But Mr Trump gave no indication he was prepared to back down, insisting that the US stood to gain from a trade war. Downing Street said it remained unclear whether Mr Trump’s plans – expected to be set out next week – would apply to the UK. A Downing Street spokesman added: “We are concerned by any measures that would impact the UK steel and aluminium industries.” The issue is sensitive given the UK’s hopes of striking a postBrexit trade deal with the US. ISLAMIC extremists have killed at least seven soldiers in Burkina Faso’s capital after opening fire on the French embassy and army headquarters. Eight of the militants were also killed, officials in Ouagadougou said.