The new tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on imports of steel and aluminum went into effect today, at a rate of 50%, in an escalatory step aimed, according to the Trump administration, at "protecting American industry from unfair trade practices" and boosting domestic manufacturing in strategic sectors.

The decision announced last April includes imports of steel and aluminum from several countries, most notably China, and is widely viewed as part of the Trump administration's trends to reshape U.S. trade policy through protective measures, especially amid increasing trade tensions between Washington and Beijing.

The U.S. Department of Commerce stated in a press release that "the new tariffs aim to reduce reliance on sensitive foreign supply chains, particularly in sectors related to national security and critical infrastructure."

Reactions and warnings about economic implications

The implementation of the decision has sparked angry reactions from key trading partners, as the European Union condemned the measures and considered them "unilateral and contrary to World Trade Organization rules," threatening to take countermeasures if European countries are not exempted from these tariffs.

For its part, Canada, one of the largest suppliers of steel and aluminum to the United States, expressed "grave concern" about the implications of the decision on industries integrated between the two countries, at a time when the Canadian economy is experiencing a slowdown due to inflation and rising living costs.

Potential implications for the global economy

Economists warned that this move could ignite a new trade war that would cast a shadow over global supply chains and affect raw material prices, which could impact several sectors such as construction, automotive, and aviation.

Markets are expected to closely monitor reactions from China, the European Union, and Canada, amid fears of a mutual series of tariffs and protective measures in the upcoming phase.

These measures come in the context of President Trump's campaign to realign U.S. trade policy in line with his slogan "America First," reminiscent of his tariff policies during his first term, which led to widespread trade disputes.