The Trump administration showed signs of softening its plans for sweeping new tariffs on steel and aluminium on Wednesday as White House officials raised the possibility that Canada, Mexico and other countries could be excluded.
The shift in tone came a day after the resignation of free-trader Gary Cohn as Donald Trump’s top economic adviser prompted protests by leading corporate lobbyists that protectionist measures could slow economic growth.
Press secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters that the president would sign a proclamation imposing the tariffs before the end of the week, with some reports indicating plans were afoot for a ceremony on Thursday.