UPDATE - March 9, 2018: President Donald Trump made good on his promise to impose a 25 percent tariff on steel imports and a 10 percent fee on aluminum.

• The levies will go into effect in 15 days.

• Canada, where the U.S. gets the majority of its steel, will be exempt.

• Mexico, who, with Canada, makes up the North American Free Trade Agreement, will also be exempt.

• The European Union has threatened retaliation on the tariffs.

Read Countable's original reporting below.

Trump Ties Tariff Relief for Mexico and Canada to NAFTA Talks

What’s the story?

• President Donald Trump said he would consider lifting possible tariffs on steel and aluminum if the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, is renegotiated to be more favorable to the U.S.

• Last week, the president said he plans to impose a 25 percent tariff on steel imports and a 10 percent fee on aluminum.

• Trump tweeted Monday morning: "We have large trade deficits with Mexico and Canada. NAFTA, which is under renegotiation right now, has been a bad deal for U.S.A. Massive relocation of companies & jobs. Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum will only come off if new & fair NAFTA agreement is signed."

• He continued: "Also, Canada must…treat our farmers much better. Highly restrictive. Mexico must do much more on stopping drugs from pouring into the U.S. They have not done what needs to be done. Millions of people addicted and dying."

• Later in the day, Trump told reporters:

"No, we’re not backing down. We had a very bad deal with Mexico, we had a very bad deal with Canada. It’s called NAFTA."

Trump vs. Ryan (and others)

• House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) criticized the president’s proposed tariffs on Monday, warning they could lead to a trade war.

• "We are extremely worried about the consequences of a trade war and are urging the White House to not advance with this plan," a spokeswoman for Ryan said in a statement. “The new tax reform law has boosted the economy and we certainly don’t want to jeopardize those gains.”

• White House National Trade Council adviser, Peter Navarro, told "Fox and Friends" on Monday: “I understand if we get a great NAFTA agreement, and [US Trade Representative Robert] Lighthizer is trying to do that, that would be a great thing for the American people, but at this point in time, 25 percent on steel, 10 percent on aluminum, no country exclusions, firm line in the sand.”

• Last week, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) labeled the tariffs a "huge job-killing tax hike."

• "While I am sympathetic to the issues facing domestic steel manufacturers, there must be a better way to address the steel industries concerns," Lee said. "And I hope Congress and the executive branch can identify an alternative solution before these tariffs are finalized next week.”

• Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS), chair of the Senate agriculture committee, also expressed concerns about the proposed tariffs and possible retaliation:

"They've already done this on washing machines and solar panels and the sorghum producer, one of the rare crops where we were making a profit, got targeted by China. Every time you do this, you get a retaliation. And agriculture is the number one target. I think this is terribly counterproductive for the (agriculture) economy and I'm not very happy."

Trump vs. Trump

• Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told NBC’s "Meet the Press" on Sunday that Trump could change his mind:

“Whatever his final decision is is what will happen. If he says something different, it will be different. I have no reason to think he's going to change."

What do you think?

Should the proposed aluminum and steel tariffs be tied to NAFTA? Or should there be "no country exclusions"? Should there be any tariffs at all? Hit Take Action and tell you reps, then share your thoughts below.

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—Josh Herman

Related Reading

• EU Threatens Retaliation to Steel Tariffs

• Trump Wants Steel and Aluminum Tariffs

• U.S. Trade Deficit Reaches Nine-year High

• Trump Imposes 30 Percent Tariff on Solar Panels

(Photo Credit: ronniechua / iStock)