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The EU has threatened "all necessary measures" in response
Massive US tariffs come into power on Friday as condemnation of the Trump administration's transfer intensifies.
Criticism of the import tax on metal and aluminium from the EU, Canada and Mexico was joined by high congressional Republicans.
Leaders from affected nations reacted furiously, setting out tit-for-tat tariffs on the United States, starting from metal to sleeping luggage and ballpoint pens.
France's president advised Mr Trump by cellphone that the United States transfer was "illegal".
Emmanuel Macron advised him the EU would reply in a "firm and proportionate manner", the Elysee Palace says.
The French president usually enjoys a good relationship along with his US counterpart.
Mr Trump has justified the tariffs by arguing that US metal and aluminium producers are very important to nationwide safety and threatened by an international provide glut.
Trudeau: Canada not US nationwide safety risk
That rationale was rejected by allies. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described that declare as an affront. "That Canada could be considered a national security threat to the United States is inconceivable," he mentioned.
What are others saying?
UK International Trade Secretary Liam Fox mentioned the 25% levy on metal was "patently absurd". He branded the Trump administration's transfer as "just protectionism", including: "It would be a great pity if we ended up in a tit-for-tat trade dispute with our closest allies."
Opposition to the tariffs was joined by congressional Republicans. "I disagree with this decision," House Speaker Paul Ryan, essentially the most influential Republican in Congress, mentioned in an assertion.
"Today's action targets America's allies when we should be working with them to address the unfair trading practices of countries like China," he mentioned.
And House Ways and Means Committee chairman Kevin Brady mentioned: "These tariffs are hitting the wrong target." Europe, Mexico and Canada "are not the problemChina is", he added.
What do the United States tariffs imply?
Mr Trump first introduced plans for the tariffs in March, however granted some exemptions whereas international locations negotiated.
US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on Thursday mentioned talks with the EU, Canada and Mexico had not made sufficient progress to warrant an additional reprieve.
Tariffs of 25% on metal and 10% on aluminium go into impact on Friday.
They apply to gadgets resembling plated metal, slabs, coil, rolls of aluminium, and tubesuncooked supplies that are used extensively throughout US manufacturing, building, and the oil trade.
Mr Ross mentioned the president had the authority to carry the tariffs or alter them at any time, leaving room for "flexibility".
"We continue to be quite willing and indeed eager to have discussions with all those parties," Mr Ross mentioned.
What motion are Canada, Mexico and Europe taking?
Canada mentioned it might levy tariffs of as much as 25% on about $13bn value of US merchandise beginning 1 July. Those embody sure sorts of American metal, in addition to client items resembling yoghurt, whiskey and roasted espresso.
Mexico's economic system ministry mentioned it was planning new duties for metal, pork legs and shoulders, apples, grapes, blueberries and cheese.
The EU's 10-page record of retaliatory tariffs vary from forged iron to kidney beans and snuff.
It has introduced it should additionally take motion towards the United States on the World Trade Organization.
What financial impact will all this have?
Canada, Mexico and the EU collectively exported $23bn (£17bn) value of metal and aluminium to the United States in 2017almost half of the $48bn of whole metal and aluminium imports final yr.
European corporations have mentioned they worry decrease US demand for international metal will divert shipments to Europe.
But IHS Markit affiliate John Anton mentioned he anticipated the consequences to be distributed throughout a wide selection of markets, limiting the impact on costs outdoors of the United States.
That leaves America to bear the brunt of the financial affect, which economists say will seem within the type of increased costs and job lossesas many as 470,000 by one estimate.
Steel costs in the United States have already spiked because of the uncertainty.
Information agency IHS Markit predicts US metal costs will rise roughly 10% extra in coming months largely as a consequence of the broader software of the tariffs.
Mr Ross has dismissed the considerations about increased prices, arguing that the consequences will probably be minimal.
But analysts mentioned sure industries, resembling manufacturing, are more likely to face extreme affect.
"Hopefully devastated is too strong a word, but I'm not sure it is," Mr Anton mentioned.
Mr Levy also said that whereas the general financial affect may stay comparatively modest, the choice to increase the tariffs to allies fuelled considerations in regards to the administration's different threats.
"This in and of itself is not that quantitatively significant," he mentioned. "It's just a horrible precedent."