4 May 2018

Steel, aluminium tariffs: US negotiations 'messy'

From Morning Report, 7:45 am on 4 May 2018

A delegation from the United States is in China to try and avert a trade war between the two countries. President Trump announced tariffs on imported Chinese steel and aluminium as well as an additional $100 billion of Chinese goods in April. Since then a trade war appears to be escalating. In the last few days President Trump announced an extension on tariffs for Canada, the European Union and Mexico until June 1, and has reached exemption agreements with Argentina, Australia and Brazil. US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin is in Beijing and said the situation isn't easy. Financial Times World Trade editor Shawn Donnan joins us with his analysis.