UK’s Theresa May raises ‘deep concern’ over tariffs in call with Trump

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday expressed “deep concern” to President Trump over his announced plans to increase steel and aluminum tariffs.

May told the president in a phone call that “multilateral action was the only way to resolve the problem of global overcapacity in all parties’ interests,” according to a Downing Street spokesperson.

{mosads}

Trump announced last week that he plans to impose a 25 percent tariff on imported steel and a 10 percent tariff on imported aluminum.

Critics say that the tariffs will likely lead to retaliatory tariffs that could result in a trade war.

The British steel industry reacted with concern.

“This would be a unilateral, and extremely blunt, approach to what is a complex global problem of overcapacity in the steel sector,” Richard Warren, head of policy at UK Steel, said in a statement.

The European Union (EU) has said it is considering placing tariffs on U.S. imports in retaliation to Trump’s proposal.

Trump responded on Saturday that if the EU retaliates, he will place a tax on European cars.

If the E.U. wants to further increase their already massive tariffs and barriers on U.S. companies doing business there, we will simply apply a Tax on their Cars which freely pour into the U.S. They make it impossible for our cars (and more) to sell there. Big trade imbalance!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 3, 2018

The administration has maintained a firm stance despite the pushback.

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said on Sunday that Trump has spoken with numerous world leaders about the tariffs but does not have any plans to provide exemptions, Reuters reported.

Ross on Sunday told ABC’s “This Week” that any retaliatory measures taken by foreign nations will not have a significant effect on the U.S. economy or the price of goods.