Topics: Donald Trump, Europe, News, UK News, Politics, World News
Amid Donald Trump's tariff hikes, many US citizens may be left wondering if their state will be affected by the changes.
Trump has been threatening hiked tariffs on imported goods in the US, with the likes of Canada, Mexico and China being some of the worst affected.
But the threats span further afield as well and will impact European countries too - the UK included - as Trump's bringing in 25 percent hikes on globally imported aluminum and steel in the hopes of it creating more factory jobs for US citizens.
Advert
Such tariffs came into force today (March 12), which Prime Minister Keir Starmer has since responded to.
"I’m disappointed to see global tariffs in relation to steel and aluminum," Starmer said.
"We will take a pragmatic approach."
"[The UK is] negotiating an economic deal which covers and will include tariffs if we succeed," Starmer further told MPs. "But we will keep all options on the table."
Gareth Stace, director-general of UK Steel, has also weighed in on the matter and branded the Trump administration’s move as 'hugely disappointing'.
He added: "President Trump must surely recognise that the UK is an ally, not a foe. Our steel sector is not a threat to the US but a partner to key customers, sharing the same values and objectives in addressing global overcapacity and tackling unfair trade."
Elsewhere, the European Union - of which the UK is no longer a part of - has announced its own countermeasures.
The EU will retaliate with €26 billion (over $28 billion) of counter-tariffs on US goods, Sky News reports.
As well as steel and aluminum products coming into the EU, textiles, home appliances, and agricultural goods will be hit with higher tariffs.
More specifically, things like motorcycles, bourbon, peanut butter, and jeans will be affected, says the Los Angeles Times.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement: "As the US are applying tariffs worth 28 billion dollars, we are responding with countermeasures worth €26 billion.
"We firmly believe that in a world fraught with geopolitical and economic uncertainties, it is not in our common interest to burden our economies with tariffs."
The EU president did state that they 'always remain open to negotiation', however.
"Jobs are at stake. Prices will go up. In Europe and in the United States," von der Leyen further warned.
The tariffs will come into force in two stages: on April 1 and April 13.
It's said that the tariffs will mainly affect Republican-led states.
These include Louisiana (a significant soybean-producing state), Kansas and Nebraska for its beef and poultry exports, while products such as wood from the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and Virginia are also reportedly on the list, as per the LA Times.
