President Trump’s sweeping tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum went into effect on Wednesdayxxbr, inviting immediate retaliation from the European Union and escalating tensions with other trading partners reeling from his on-and-off approach to steep trade penalties.

Mr. Trump’s tariffs of 25 percent hit metal imports from every country that sells steel and aluminum to the United States. Many domestic steel and aluminum makers support the move, saying it will help protect their industry against foreign competitors. But the tariffs are expected to raise costs for American businesses that use foreign metals, including manufacturers of cars, canned food and drinks, solar panels and other products.

Some trading partners have vowed to retaliate by issuing levies aimed at hurting U.S. exporters. Canada, a major supplier of metal in the United States, said that it would impose new retaliatory tariffs on $20 billion worth of American imports, including metals, computers and sporting goods. And the European Union swiftly announced tariffs on up to $28 billion worth of American goods, including bourbon, boats and motorcycles.

Those conflicts could spiral into even bigger trade wars. Asked on Wednesday if he would retaliate against the E.U. tariffs, Mr. Trump said, “Of course I will respond.”

Many other governments — like Japan, Australia, Mexico, Brazil and Britain — chose not to react, at least for now, for fear of worsening relations and the impact on their own economies. Those countries are also girding for the next round of Mr. Trump’s tariffs on April 2, when the president has said he will impose tariffs on foreign cars and countries that he says discriminate against the United States.

Mr. Trump’s recent trade moves have rocked stock markets and exacerbated concerns about the economy. Stock markets shifted between gains and losses on Wednesday as investors weighed concerns about tariffs against better-than-expected inflation data for February. Analysts have warned that Mr. Trump’s sweeping plan for tariffs could push inflation higher in the future and slow the economy.

Where the U.S. Imports Steel From

Annual steel imports by the top 12 places of origin

billion

$30

Canada

25

bbaakf

Mexico

20

15

South Korea

Brazil

10

Germany

Japan

Taiwan

5

Italy

Vietnam

China

Netherlands

Austria

’19

’20

’21

Donald J. Trump did not mention Mr. Robinson once at a campaign event in Wilmington, N.C., on Saturday, and several Trump fans who attended said they understood why it was necessary to distance Mr. Trump from Mr. Robinson. The former president endorsed Mr. Robinson in March and held a fund-raiser for him at his home in Palm Beach, Fla., last year.

Mr. Trump would be 82 on Election Day in 2028, older than President Biden is now. This year’s election is already his third consecutive time being the Republican nominee, after he won in 2016 and lost in 2020. In the modern party system, only Franklin Delano Roosevelt has ever received a major party’s nomination four times, though a handful have matched Mr. Trump with three.

’22

’23

’24

$30

billion

Canada

25

Mexico

20

15

South Korea

Brazil

10

Germany

Japan

Taiwan

5

Italy

Vietnam

China

Netherlands

Austria

’15

’16

’17

’18

’19

’20

’21

’22

’23

’24

Source: Census Bureau, via the International Trade Administration

By Karl Russell

Where the U.S. Imports Aluminum From

Annual aluminum imports by the top 12 places of origin

$20

9x999 cassino

billion

18

16

Canada

14

12

10

8

China

6

Bahrain

United Arab

Emirates

South

Korea

4

Australia

Thailand

2

Argentina

India

Mexico

Germany

Oman

’19

’20

’21

’22

’23

’24

$20

billion

18

16

Canada

14

12

10

8

China

6

Bahrain

United Arab

Emirates

South

Korea

4

Australia

Thailand

2

Argentina

India

Mexico

Germany

Oman

’15

’16

’17

’18

’19

’20

’21

’22

’23

’24

Source: Census Bureau, via the International Trade Administration

By Karl Russell

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