White House economic adviser Gary Cohn stepping down

An important signal for markets is still pending – the exact scope of the steel and aluminum tariffs, with the potential that exclusions and exceptions diminish the impact. But the trade measures face opposition, even from Trump’s fellow Republicans. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer is overseeing an investigation into whether China is systematically violating U.S. intellectual property rights, particularly in the technology industry. It’s a fraction of what it once was. A visiting head of state, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, said during a joint news conference with Trump that increased tariffs will hurt everyone in the long run. “However, it is our goal to avoid a trade war”.

The EU has said it is planning to forge a coalition of countries to agree a unified reaction to Trump’s move.

Wall Street is preparing for tariffs as Gary Cohn leaves the White House. One of Trump’s closest Senate allies, David Perdue, suggested on Tuesday that the president may be open to changes on how the levies might be applied.

Tensions between the US and its longtime trade partners and allies spiked last week after Trump announced a sweeping 25 percent tariff on all foreign steel imports and 10 percent on all aluminum imports, sparking global condemnation and fears of trade war. The tariffs won’t apply to the USA neighbors if a new trade deal is concluded, he said. But “we can also do stupid”, he said last Friday.

“We don’t think this is a smart economic policy decision, and [it] could harm the economic progress that a lot of his policies have helped bring about”, said Sen. Don’t undo the positive effects the deregulation and tax cuts have had on the USA economy by taking us into a trade war.

The U.S. dollar fell 0.4 per cent against the Japanese yen – seen a safe-haven in times of uncertainty.

President Trump boasted on Tuesday afternoon that “everybody wants to work in the White House” – just a couple hours before his key economic advisor announced he’s leaving.

Note, UK Chancellor Philip Hammond will outline a plan to give UK financial institutions access to Europe after Brexit, however this plan is expected to be nearly instantly rebuffed by both Brussels and Paris, with EC President Tusk and French finance minister Le Maire suggesting financial services can not be covered in a free trade agreement. She pointed out that the George W. Bush administration had once announced similar tariffs, and USA industry had also suffered in the medium-term.

Economists at High Frequency Economics said Monday that Trump’s “trade warmongering” is now the biggest danger for an economy they expect will expand by 3 percent this year.

Last week, the European Steel Association said only about 3 per cent of EU exports of the metal to the United States go for national security, Mr Trump’s goal is purely protectionist, and the WTO may have trouble handling any complaints. “The chances of NAFTA failing also just rose”.

Business leaders are mobilizing against the tariffs.

US stocks are broadly lower as investors react to the departure of Gary Cohn, the top economic adviser to President Donald Trump.

The European Union is engaged in intensive discussions with the United States regarding the possible introduction of higher tariffs on steel and aluminum by Washington, EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said. But he said the administration’s approach was “a little too broad and more prone to retaliation”. He cited disagreements with the Trump administration’s policy focus.

The European Commission, the 28-nation EU executive, warned on Wednesday it would hit flagship USA products including peanut butter, orange juice and bourbon whiskey with counter measures if Mr Trump goes ahead with the metal tariffs. But Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., said he was doubtful the GOP majority would be able to muster the votes to pass legislation to block the special taxes.

Republican lawmakers are pressuring Trump to at least limit the reach of the tariffs. Rep. David Young, R-Iowa, responded, “It doesn’t seem so with some of the policies that are coming out”. America’s most famous democratic socialist has had precisely nothing to say about the tariffs.