US lifts steel and aluminium tariffs on Canada and Mexico

United States President Donald TrumpTrumpTrump on Friday announced a deal to lift tariffs on steel and aluminium imported from Canada and Mexico that had halted discussions on a new North American free trade agreement and complicated relations between America and its neighbours, The New York Times reported.

“I am pleased to announce we have just reached an agreement with Canada and Mexico,” Trump said. “We will be selling our product into those countries without the imposition of tariffs.”

The statement came moments after Canada released the text of the agreement between Ottawa and Washington to eliminate US tariffs on steel and aluminium, and Canada’s retaliatory measures, within two days, CNBC reported. Soon after, Mexico confirmed it had reached a similar agreement with the US and promised to ease pending legal challenges it had mounted against the US decision last year in the World Trade Organisation.