Steely decision

Huge impact: The tariffs will take effect 15 days after March 8. Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports into the United States will have a wider impact than just the industry he is protecting. — AP

PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports into the United States will have a wider impact than just the industry he is protecting, and comes after the January decision to impose tariffs on solar panels and washing machines. The tariff will take effect 15 days after March 8 when the order was signed.

The supply chain on which the global economy relies on to move goods and services from source to the end-customer will be affected by this latest move. As an example of how this will impact the supply chain, manufacturers who buy their machinery from the United States will now face higher costs, at least for the forseeable future until US steel and aluminium producers are able to meet domestic demand.