US President Donald Trump has said he is planning to impose 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports into the US from today (February 10).

The move appears to mark another escalation in the Trump administration’s trade policies that Trump has said will put ‘America first’ and leverage tariff tools to secure policy aims in areas such as immigration and illegal drug shipments, as well as raise border revenues and tackle US trade deficits with other countries.

He has also said that all trade tariffs imposed on US exports by other countries will be met with reciprocal tariffs from the US.

The largest suppliers of steel imports to the US are Canada, Brazil and Mexico, while Canada is the largest supplier of aluminium.

There is some uncertainty over whether legacy Biden administration exemptions to tariffs will apply and some observers have noted that the blanket steel and aluminium tariffs could cause problems for US firms.

Canadian Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne posted on X that ‘Canadian steel and aluminum support key industries in the U.S. from defence, shipbuilding and auto.’

Let’s all be clear.

Canadian steel and aluminum support key industries in the U.S. from defence, shipbuilding and auto.

This is making North America more competitive and secure.

We will continue to stand up for Canada, our workers, and our industries. pic.twitter.com/NBFeU6Y8zN

— François-Philippe Champagne (FPC) 🇨🇦 (@FP_Champagne) February 10, 2025