Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2018-03-02

The economics ministry says that the United States’ new tariff on steel imports is rooted in protectionism and will damage international free trade.

The ministry was responding Friday to US President Donald Trump’s announcement that a 25% tariff will be imposed on steel imports and a 10% tariff imposed on aluminum imports from next week. The announcement has also drawn heavy protest from EU members and China.

Last year, the United States imported US$3.6 billion worth of steel products from Taiwan, a figure accounting for nearly 6% of total US steel imports. The economics ministry says it remains to be seen whether the new tariff will be added on top of existing tariffs.
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