House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., scolded the White House on Thursday for moving ahead with steel and aluminum tariffs against the the European Union, Canada, and Mexico, arguing they should have continued with negotiation efforts instead.
“I disagree with this decision. Instead of addressing the real problems in the international trade of these products, today’s action targets America’s allies when we should be working with them to address the unfair trading practices of countries like China. There are better ways to help American workers and consumers. I intend to keep working with the president on those better options,” Ryan said.
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said Thursday that the U.S.’s tariffs of 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on imported aluminum would go into effect Friday following months of wrangling between the respective governments to resolve the conflict.
The White House said its tariffs had “already had major, positive effects on steel and aluminum workers.” All three trading partners responded by promising retaliatory tariffs against U.S. goods.
[Read: EU’s response; Canada’s response; Mexico’s response]
