Argentine President Mauricio Macri expresses concern over US tariffs on steel and aluminium

Argentine President Mauricio Macri and French President Emmanuel Macron have expressed concern over the US tariffs on steel and aluminium. Mr Macri urged US President Donald Trump to exempt the South American country from the US steel and aluminium tariffs. He made the plea in a phone conversation with Mr Trump, a day after the US President signed off on the tariffs, sparking fears of a trade war. 

French President Macron has warned his US counterpart Trump against forging ahead with planned tariffs on European steel and aluminium, saying it risked starting a mutually destructive trade war. In a telephone call with Mr Trump yesterday, the French



leader expressed his deep concerns over the measures, saying that while he shared Trump's concern over unfair trade practices, the tariffs due to come into effect in two weeks risk triggering a trade war, in which all affected countries would be losers.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump spoke to Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and said that they are working on an agreement so Australia will not be subject to US tariffs on steel and aluminium. In a tweet, Mr Trump said he is committed to having a very fair and reciprocal military and trade relationship with Australia and he is working on these issues.