According to media reports, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has stated at a hearing of the House Ways and Means Committee that the Trump administration is in talks with Australia, the European Union and Argentina regarding exemption from US steel and aluminum tariffs which will take effect this Friday, March 23.
Mr. Lighthizer added that there are plans to talk with Brazil for possible exemptions from the duties and also South Korea could be excluded from the duties as the two countries continue talks over a bilateral trade agreement. The administration has already temporarily excluded Canada and Mexico from the tariffs within the scope of the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
According to Mr. Lighthizer, the tariffs could be delayed for some countries who are seeking exemptions, while the talks are expected to conclude by the end of April.