Steel tariffs will increase the price of electrical appliances

Steel tariffs imposed by Donald Trump will apply to household appliances made from this metal, including dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators and others. This was stated by the Department of Commerce in a note. The tariffs were set at 50 per cent and could cause a significant increase in the cost of imported appliances. The measures will come into effect on 23 June, the department said.

In recent days Trump has thrown fuel on the fire of his global trade war, threatening tariffs hikes on cars and impending ultimatums of unilateral tariffs against dozens of nations around the world. Although he left open the door for agreements with a number of major partners, perhaps fifteen in number, from Japan to South Korea. 'We are doing very well when it comes to deals,' he assured. Among the possible deals in extremis, his close associates added, was one with the European Union.

On car imports, already subject to 25% barriers, the president cited his plans to reindustrialise the US: 'I may raise tariffs in the not too distant future', because 'the more we raise them the more likely it is that plants will be built here'.