US Allies Hope To Join Trump Tariff Exceptions List

Officials from Japan and South Korea, Australia and Europe have lined up to get an exemption from President Donald Trump's tariffs on US steel and aluminum imports, while Chinese manufacturers have called on Beijing to retaliate.

Tokyo and Brussels have rejected any suggestion that their exports to the United States threaten its national security - Trump's excuse for imposing tariffs, which were imposed despite warnings at home and abroad that they could provoke a global trade war.

“We are an ally, not a threat,” said European Commission Vice President Jyrki Katainen.

The Chinese iron and steel industry has once again demonstrated the clearest threat, calling on the government to respond by targeting US coal - a sector that is central to Trump's political base and his campaign promise to restore American industries and jobs.

Trump signed a decree on 25 percent tariffs on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum at the White House on Thursday to counter cheap imports, especially from China, which he called "an attack on our country."

However, he said that "true friends" of the United States could benefit from a waiver of the measures, which take effect 15 days later. In this case, under certain conditions, he liberated Canada and Mexico.

Brazil, which is the largest supplier of steel to the American market after Canada, said it wants to join the exemption list, and Argentina did a similar case.

Japan, the United States' main economic and military ally in Asia, was next in line. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihid Suga said at a press conference that the supply of steel and aluminum to Japan does not pose a threat to US national security.

With Japan as a major trading partner and international investor, Suga said, on the contrary, they contributed significantly to employment and industry in the United States. The Japanese steel body also expressed concern.