Trump says he plans to double steel, aluminum tariffs to 50%
[WEST MIFFLIN] US President Donald Trump on Friday said he planned to increase tariffs on foreign imports of steel and aluminum to 50 per cent from 25 per cent, ratcheting up pressure on global steel producers and deepening his trade war.
'We are going to be imposing a 25 per cent increase. We're going to bring it from 25 to 50 per cent – the tariffs on steel into the United States of America, which will even further secure the steel industry in the United States,' he said at a rally in Pennsylvania.
Trump announced the tariff increase on steel products at a speech given just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he was talking up an agreement between Nippon Steel and US Steel. Trump said the US$14.9 billion deal, like the tariff increase, will help keep jobs for steel workers in the US.
Later, he added the increased tariff would also apply to aluminum products and that it would take effect on Jun 4. 'Our steel and aluminum industries are coming back like never before,' Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Shares of steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs Inc surged 26 per cent after the market close as investors bet the new levies will help its profits.
The doubling of steel and aluminum levies intensifies Trump's global trade war and came just hours after he accused China of violating an agreement with the US to mutually roll back tariffs and trade restrictions for critical minerals.
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Trump spoke at US Steel's Mon Valley Works, a steel plant that symbolizes both the one-time strength and the decline of US manufacturing power as the Rust Belt's steel plants and factories lost business to international rivals. Closely contested Pennsylvania is also a major prize in presidential elections.
The steel and aluminum tariffs were among the earliest put into effect by Trump when he returned to office in January. The tariffs of 25 per cent on most steel and aluminum imported to the US went into effect in March, and he had briefly threatened a 50 per cent levy on Canadian steel but ultimately backed off.
Under the so-called Section 232 national security authority, the import taxes include both raw metals and derivative products as diverse as stainless steel sinks, gas ranges, air conditioner evaporator coils, horseshoes, aluminum frying pans and steel door hinges.
The total 2024 import value for the 289 product categories came to US$147.3 billion with nearly two-thirds aluminum and one-third steel, according to Census Bureau data retrieved through the US International Trade Commission's Data Web system.
By contrast, Trump's first two rounds of punitive tariffs on Chinese industrial goods in 2018 during his first term totaled US$50 billion in annual import value.
The US is the world's largest steel importer, excluding the European Union, with a total of 26.2 million tonnes of imported steel in 2024, according to the Department of Commerce. As a result, the new tariffs will likely increase steel prices across the board, hitting industry and consumers alike. REUTERS
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Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Philippines defence chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr calls out China's ‘propaganda spiel' at Shangri-La Dialogue
SINGAPORE - A 'deficit of trust' stands in the way of Beijing's ability to resolve disputes such as overlapping claims in the South China Sea, said Philippines defence chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr on June 1. Speaking on June 1 at a plenary session during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Mr Teodoro also hit back at questions from Chinese delegates after one official compared the Philippines' handling of the waterway dispute with China, with the approaches taken by Malaysia and Vietnam, asking why Manila could not 'do the same' and 'effectively manage' these differences. The same official also asked if Manila's intention was to 'act as a proxy for external powers'. Among the claimants of the contested waterway, Manila, which has a mutual defence treaty with Washington, has been one of the most vocal in speaking out against Beijing's moves to assert its sovereignty in the South China Sea, with tense confrontations breaking out in recent times between the two countries' vessels and coast guards. This is in contrast to fellow Asean member states who also have territorial claims in the strategic waterway, which China claims the majority of via a 'nine-dash line' it uses to demarcate its territory. The area within the dashes overlaps with areas that Asean members Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei and Indonesia claim as their territories or exclusive economic zones. Currently, there are ongoing negotiations between Asean and Beijing to ink a Code of Conduct to manage South China Sea disputes peacefully . Labelling the queries posed during the session as a 'propaganda spiel disguised as questions' , which drew applause from those in attendance, Mr Teodoro said: 'On dialogue with China, unfortunately, my personal opinion (is that) the fact that the way the question was asked... engenders a deficit of trust in China's words vis-a-vis action.' He also said that while the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam were part of Asean , they are also sovereign countries with their own territorial integrity. 'I'm sure that if what China is doing to the Philippines is done to Malaysia or to any Asean country, you will see a different reaction. Certainly, as an Asean brother, the Philippines will stand up with that Asean brother in time of need and in support and defence of internal law and Unclos (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),' he said. Commenting on conducting dialogue with China , Mr Teodoro said that for such exchanges to be effective, it must be coupled with trust. He added: 'China has a lot of trust-building to do to be an effective negotiating partner in dispute settlement. 'We have to call a spade a spade… And that's the biggest stumbling block in dispute resolution or dialogue with China, the deficit of trust.' And while some Asean member states do have overlapping territorial claims with each other, these differences are dealt with in a cooperative and peaceful manner because of the trust between the nations. 'Asean should not allow other parties to define what Asean centrality means. And not (allow others) to use Asean's perceived action or inaction as a wedge to drive divisions among us,' Mr Teodoro said. When asked for a response on Mr Teodoro's remarks, Senior Colonel Qi Dapeng, a National Defence University professor who was among the Chinese delegates that posed questions at the session, took issue with how the Chinese queries were being framed as propaganda slogans. He told the Straits Times at the sidelines of the forum that Mr Teodoro has failed to respond to the issue 'properly'. In his remarks, Mr Teodoro warned that disruptions in strategic maritime corridors such as the South China Sea, the Suez Canal and the Bab el Mandeb, will have impacts across the globe. 'They are arteries of the global economy. Disruption in any of these maritime corridors triggers ripple effects across continents, impacting trade flows, military deployments and diplomatic posture,' he said. Also speaking during the plenary session on Enhancing Security Cooperation for a Stable Asia-Pacific were Thailand's deputy prime minister and defence minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Lithuania's Minister of National Defence Dovile Sakaliene. Mr Phumthum said that there have been efforts for Asean to unite on various fronts, including to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure as well as cross-regional security mechanisms. One area of concern in particular was the protection of undersea infrastructure, which he said remains vulnerable to physical attacks, sabotage and natural disasters. 'Disruption in this domain carries far-reaching consequences for regional economies and security,' he said. Thailand's deputy prime minister and defence minister Phumtham Wechayachai said that there have been efforts for Asean to unite on various fronts. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG Thailand, along with Singapore and Brunei, have proposed that the Asean Digital Masterplan 2025, which focuses on advancing digital transformation in the region, drive cooperation in this area, he added. Answering questions about Thailand's efforts to combat the networks of illegal scam centres that have been operating along its border with Myanmar, Mr Phumthum said this involves collective efforts from all countries. Bangkok and Beijing had earlier in 2025 launched a series of crackdowns to tackle the multi-billion-dollar scam hubs located in Myanmar, repatriating thousands of foreigners – including many Chinese nationals – who had been held captive there . 'We use our positive relations with Myanmar and talk with all concerned countries about online scammer issues, and collaborate in helping victims and trying to find a durable resolution,' he said. Thailand has also cut cross-border supply of electricity, water and internet connectivity to areas in Myanmar linked with these scam centres, he noted. 'This has undoubtedly impacted the local people in the area, but it will help us reduce the problem of online scammers and transnational crime,' Mr Phumthum added. Meanwhile, Ms Sakaliene highlighted Lithuania's Indo-Pacific Strategy that was launched in 2023 in response to the need to ensure security, economic cooperation and strengthen the small state's international position. 'We do have something to offer. And as one of my wonderful colleagues said here, being small does not mean being insignificant, especially where there are a lot of such small ones like us,' she said. On May 31, United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said during the security conference that the future, security and prosperity of the US and its Indo-Pacific allies were linked and 'bound together'. He also encouraged Asian countries to increase their defence spending. Ms Sakaliene said that while the United States' strategic focus on the Indo-Pacific was justified and necessary, it was not Washington's responsibility alone. 'I'm very glad to hear that so many of us here agree that we do have to work together,' she said, warning that if more 'coordinated action' by 'less diplomatically' aligned and authoritarian regimes were to take place, it would complicate global stability for decades. She added: 'In these times of uncertainty, I believe that our ability to weave a tightly knit network of allies and partners from Europe to the Indo-Pacific, based on fair government sharing and defence of joint interest against common threats, is crucial.' Additional reporting by Yew Lun Tian Tan Tam Mei is assistant foreign editor at The Straits Times. She oversees coverage of South-east Asia. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Business Times
2 hours ago
- Business Times
China blasts Hegseth as defence minister avoids Singapore forum
[BEIJING] China lodged a protest over Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's speech at a defence forum in Singapore on Saturday, even as Beijing chose not to send its top military diplomat to the annual event. Hegseth chided China during the Shangri-La Dialogue, noting how the nation didn't send a high-profile representative to the gathering. It was the first time Beijing hasn't sent a defence minister to the forum since 2019, depriving China from conducting diplomacy with top military officials from around the globe and pushing its vision for regional security. In a statement on Sunday (Jun 1) responding to Hegseth's speech, China's Foreign Ministry called the US 'the true hegemonic country in the world and the primary factor that undermines peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region.' It added that the US 'must never play with fire' regarding Taiwan, after Hegseth warned that conflict over the island 'could be imminent.' Departing from tradition, this year's Sunday programming didn't begin with a session focused on China, which is typically when the nation's chief military diplomat rebuts any accusations floated by speakers from the US and other allied nations the day before. The only session featuring a Chinese delegate this year saw him sidestep questions on the absence of Defence Minister Dong Jun, who attended a year ago. 'Every time we send the delegation on different levels – this is completely a normal work arrangement,' Rear Admiral Hu Gangfeng, vice president of the National Defense University, said at a panel on Saturday. 'It'll not affect our explanation of our national defence policies, ideas and communication with others or enhancing mutual trust.' In an X thread on Sunday, Chinese envoy to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong slammed Hegseth's remark a day earlier on Taiwan. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up 'If this is not sabre-rattling or fearmongering, then nothing is,' Wang wrote. 'It will be a stretch of imagination to think that many, if any at all, in the region would buy that unfounded, self-centric and delusional rhetoric,' he added. The Chinese Embassy in Singapore has posted twice on Facebook since the start of the forum. It hit back at French President Emmanuel Macron's remarks that the global response to Russia's war in Ukraine should inform how the world might react to a Taiwan invasion, rejecting the comparison as 'unacceptable.' It also criticised Hegseth's speech, labelling China as an imminent threat. 'Mr Hegseth repeatedly smeared and attacked China and relentlessly played up the so-called 'China threat,'' the embassy wrote. 'As a matter of fact, the US itself is the biggest 'troublemaker' for regional peace and stability.' China's embassy in Singapore rarely comments publicly on the Shangri-La Dialogue, usually staying behind the scenes to coordinate with the visiting Chinese delegation. Chinese military delegates were still active in asking questions in sessions. Senior Colonel Zhang Chi, an associate professor at the National Defence University, asked Hegseth about how the US would choose between allies and Asean when its multilateral frameworks do not include South-east Asian countries. But outside of sessions, they stayed mum. It's a contrast to last year, when China held a record number of press briefings and its university delegates had roundtable discussions with the media. Beijing hasn't officially explained why it downgraded its representation at this year's event. However, signs of frustration surfaced during a session on Sunday. Senior Colonel Lu Yin, a professor at the PLA's National Defense University, attempted to ask a question at the forum but noted beforehand that her query about cooperation didn't seem to fit the atmosphere of the Shangri-La Dialogue. 'It seems that labeling China, blaming China, verbally attacking China are political right here,' she added. Da Wei, director of the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University, said it wasn't ideal for China to miss an opportunity to send a defence minister to the forum and have exchanges with other countries. Given that Dong has travelled to the region and Europe before, he said, 'this loss is probably not that huge.' Singapore's Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing also described it as a missed opportunity for China. 'If China perceives that the world does not respect China sufficiently, or do not understand China sufficiently, then it is incumbent upon China to use every opportunity possible, including the Shangri-La Dialogue, to get its voice heard, to make clear a stance, and to help others to understand why it's doing what it is doing,' Chan said on Sunday. BLOOMBERG
Business Times
3 hours ago
- Business Times
South-east Asia joins Europe's calls to defend subsea cables
[SINGAPORE] Defence officials from Europe and South-east Asia called for stronger collaboration to protect the global network of subsea cables as concerns grow over threats to this vital infrastructure. Countries like Singapore and Malaysia are becoming key hubs for the roughly 600 fiber-optic cables that carry nearly all of the world's data. Meanwhile, a spike in cable damage in European waters, particularly in the Baltic Sea, has heightened fears about the network's vulnerability. 'We need to work together to defend the entire network,' Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing said at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue security forum on Sunday (Jun 1). 'There's no point trying to defend the integrity and security of a submarine cable by looking at a point. We need both ends to be secure.' The issue came up repeatedly during the two-day summit in Singapore, with European officials keen to share what they've learned from the recent rise in subsea cable damage. Today, the global undersea cable network stretches about 1.4 million km. With the demand for data centre power projected to surge significantly with the advent of intensive AI platforms, more cables are essential. Protecting them has become a key imperative in Europe since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with incidents in its waters mostly involving tankers travelling to and from Russia, and in at least one case, a Chinese vessel. Despite suspicions of sabotage, there's been no strong evidence pointing to deliberate attacks, with the incidents more likely to be accidents or careless behaviour. Still, Nato countries have increased patrols in key areas to ensure the safety of undersea infrastructure. The European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas urged European and Asian partners to work together at sea to tackle covert 'shadow fleets' of tankers and review maritime security laws. Protecting digital cable infrastructure is important for the Philippines too, Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said in an interview. He added that his country, which is locked in a long-running dispute with China in the South China Sea, is working to build up its capabilities to address the threat. Thailand also called the issue a pressing concern, with Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai saying the country is collaborating with Singapore and Brunei. He added, undersea infrastructure faces risks not only from sabotage, but also from accidents and natural disasters. BLOOMBERG
