Trump promises ‘great flexibility’ to trade allies with steel tariffs

“Looking forward to 3:30 P.M. meeting today at the White House,” Trump tweeted. “We have to protect & build our Steel and Aluminum Industries while at the same time showing great flexibility and cooperation toward those that are real friends and treat us fairly on both trade and the military.”

Trump has been under pressure from congressional Republicans and several U.S. trade allies to moderate his plans for a global 25 percent tariff on steel imports, and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports. Congressional Republicans and others say they fear a global tariff on all imports would invite retaliation that hits a range of U.S. exports, including many that are dear to congressional leaders and companies in their states and districts.

This week, the administration started signaling that it would allow for exemptions to the tariffs for some countries, which could be a way for them to avoid the penalty. Trump has said Canada and Mexico could escape the tariffs through a renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, and White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said other national security exemptions to the tariffs could be agreed.

One sign that the White House is still scrambling to hit on a balanced policy decision is that the final decision might be delayed until Friday or next week, despite several reports said Trump was expected to announce his decision Thursday afternoon. As of Thursday morning, no event was scheduled, and Trump’s tweet indicated that officials will meet to keep working on the decision, and may have nothing to announce today.

NBC reported that nothing might happen today because the details of the order were still being worked out.