Rutnick: "25% Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum Will Remain Until US Production Expands"

"President Will Add Copper to Trade Protection Measures"

"Steel, Aluminum, Semiconductors, and Pharmaceuticals Are Essential Products That Must Be Made in America"

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Rutnick said nothing can prevent the expansion of 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum until domestic production is strengthened. He also stated that President Trump will add copper to trade protection measures.

According to Reuters on the 12th (local time), Rutnick emphasized in an interview with Fox Business that the 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum are immovable. He also met with Ontario Governor Doug Ford to explore ways to "cool temperatures" between the U.S. and Canada, and said he would negotiate trade issues when Mark Carney takes office as Canadian Prime Minister.

Rutnick said that steel and aluminum, along with semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, are essential products that must be made in the United States for national security reasons. He emphasized, "We cannot rely on other countries' steel and aluminum while fighting a war."

That's why the President wants steel and aluminum in the United States, and "nothing can stop it until America has large and powerful steel and aluminum capabilities, and copper will be added as well," he said.

In late February, President Trump directed Rutnick to conduct a Section 232 national security investigation to determine whether to impose tariffs on copper imports using the same law that supports tariffs on steel and aluminum.

Kim Jung-a, Contributing Writer kja@hankyung.com