The United States has said it is proceeding with customs duties on imports of aluminum and steel from Canada, Mexico and the European Union. Washington has thus ended a two-month exemption and also paves the way for a possible trade war with its major allies.
US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told reporters by telephone that a 25 percent charge on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum imports from the European Union, Canada and Mexico would come into effect from midnight (0400 GMT on Friday).
"We look forward to continuing negotiations with Canada and Mexico on the one hand and with the European Commission on the other, because there are other issues that need to be resolved as well," he said.
He gave no details on what the EU, Canada and Mexico could do to cancel fees.