President Trump on Thursday signed a pair of executive orders to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from all countries that will exclude Canada and Mexico, and give him plenty of options for future changes — including a possible increase in the tariff levels — depending on U.S. economic conditions and the actions of other U.S. trading partners.

Surrounded by steelworkers and members of his Cabinet, the president signed the controversial order after days of confusion and backlash among lawmakers and administration officials, many of whom complained publicly or to colleagues about the hastiness of the process and the potential disadvantages new tariffs could bring to a variety of industries and their states.