President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he plans to double the tariffs on steel and aluminum imports—increasing the charge from 25% to 50%.
The tariff escalation comes at a precarious time, as Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs are immersed in legal trouble at the court level and many U.S. businesses are struggling to contend with the back-and-forth nature of the levies.
Trump’s announcement also coincides with the “blockbuster” agreement between U.S. Steel and Japanese steel company Nippon, a deal which he promised will include no layoffs and the steelmaker will be “controlled by the USA.”
The steepened tariffs could potentially further escalate tensions between the U.S. and its top steel partners, which include Canada, Brazil, and Mexico. As the U.S.’ number one steel importer, Canada—with whom the U.S. has already escalated tensions due to Trump’s other tariffs—stands to feel the pressure of this latest move.
Here’s what to know about Trump’s doubled tariffs and what experts have to say about it.