Trump officially imposes tariffs on steel, aluminum

President Trump on Thursday officially ordered a 25 percent tariff on imported steel and a 10 percent tariff on imported aluminum, putting him at odds with traditional Republican economic priorities. The tariffs will take effect in 15 days, with carve-outs for Canada and Mexico under the condition that the North American Free Trade Agreement can be renegotiated. "You don't wanna pay tax? Bring your plant to the U.S.A.," Trump urged during his announcement.

Trump added that he is open to exempting certain countries "as long as we can make sure their products no longer threaten our security," referring to the national security provision that has allowed him to impose the new taxes.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said the tariffs "are like dropping a bomb on a flea," while Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) vowed he would introduce legislation to nullify the tariffs. "Flexible tariffs?" Flake said. "What does that mean? One day you wake up and you say, 'I don't like Australia?' I mean, that's unbelievable."

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Watch some of Trump's comments below. Jeva Lange