Donald Trump adopted sweeping tariffs on steel and aluminium imports yesterday, but decided key allies could apply for exemptions in a sign of growing concern in Washington that the president was alienating the US’s closest international partners.The move is expected to draw retaliation from the EU and other steel producers and heighten fears of a descent into trade wars. But the last-minute softening included an immediate exemption for Canada and Mexico while they renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement with the US. In a second proclamation, the president created a process to allow countries that have a close security relationship with the US to discuss their own possible exemptions. Mr Trump’s decision marks the fulfilment of a campaign promise to protect the US steel industry and bring back jobs to the blighted Rust Belt communities. It comes ahead of special election next week in a Pennsylvania congressional district that includes many communities once dependent on the steel industry. “We have to protect & build our Steel and Aluminium Industries while at the same time showing great flexibility and co-operation toward those that are real friends and treat us fairly on both trade and the military,” Mr Trump wrote on Twitter ahead of the signing. The list of countries that will be exempted has been the main area of debate surrounding Mr Trump’s plan since he announced it last week. While the move is aimed at protecting US industry from China, which has flooded global markets with cheap metals in recent years, allies such as Canada, the EU, Japan and South Korea fear they will bear its brunt.
唐纳德•特朗普(Donald Trump)昨日签署了对进口钢铁和铝全面征收关税的命令，但决定关键盟友可以申请豁免，这一迹象表明华盛顿方面日益担心总统正在疏远美国最密切的国际伙伴。