[author - Laura Anne Schierhoff]

By May 1, 2018, President Trump needed to decide whether tariffs of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum imports would go into effect for the EU, Canada, and Mexico. However, Trump pushed back this deadline by 30 days. The EU is not happy about the tariffs or the delay.  Top EU officials argue that there is no national security threat from the EU, and they should be granted an exemption. The EU also stands ready to counter with tariffs of their own on U.S. goods, including Harley Davidsons and Kentucky bourbon. Canada and Mexico were given extended deadlines while they renegotiate the terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement with the U.S.

Since March 23, 2018, these tariffs on steel and aluminum have been in effect for China. This week, a team of top economic officials from the Administration, including U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, are in China to discuss a framework for a trade agreement to which both countries can agree. The tariffs will likely be front and center in the negotiations.