Kemi Osukoya
February 11, 2025
The Trump administration’s Senior Trade and Manufacturing Counselor Peter Navarro said there is no potential downside to the global economy from the U.S. imposing 25% tariffs on imported aluminum and steel.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Navarro argued that the U.S.’s actions will not have a negative impact but will send a strong signal to the world that the U.S. aims to defend its domestic industries and national security against what it views as “unfair trade practices and government subsidies” from other nations.
“The message the U.S. is sending is certainly that we will defend our aluminum, and steel industries and interests in national security, which is good for the rest of the world,” he said in response to a question posed to him by Africa Bazaar magazine.
He also stated that the issue is due to overcapacity, implying that other countries should address their excess production capacities and subsidies in the steel and aluminum industries.
“I think it should also be clear that this is only coming about because of a global glut and capacity that need to be dealt with. So I will say to those around the world, it’s time to address those overcapacity,”
Navarro said countries like Australia, Brazil, China, Japan, Russia and South Korea have not kept their promises regarding steel exports, leading to the need for stricter measures.
He underscored that there are no allies in the steel and aluminum industries, only competitors, noting that these countries are U.S. major competitors.
He accused countries like China, Japan and Russia with overcapacity in steel and aluminum “dumping their excess” into the U.S. market.
Asked about retaliatory tariffs and price increases from these countries, Navarro said the U.S. is not worried about price increases.
Navarro also criticized the EU for subsidizing their steel industry.
