The Big Seven group strongly criticizes US tariffs on steel and aluminum

Trump says protecting American steel producers is a matter of national security
The Big Seven group strongly criticizes US tariffs on steel and aluminum
US Treasury Secretary Steve Menuchin has been sharply criticized by the Group of Seven finance ministers who are angered by Washington's imposition of new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.
During a meeting that saw a heated debate in the Canadian Whistler product, the EU and Canada threatened to respond to the US decision.
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Mire warned of a war that could begin within a few days.
But US President Donald Trump insisted, in a commentary on Twitter, that the United States "was looted commercially for years by other countries."
The US president also complained about the obstacles facing US companies in Europe and elsewhere.
"It's time to be smart."
Menuchin denied that the United States had given up its leadership of the global economy, and said it conveyed the strong concerns of other countries to President Trump.
A joint statement was not issued at the end of the meeting, which BBC correspondent in North America, Chris Buckler, a clear indication of the dispute.
Mr Baeckler says the sharp row is expected to continue next weekend when G7 leaders, including Trump, meet at their summit in Quebec, Canada.
What are US tariffs?
Source image REUTERS
Image caption
Trump: "Time to be smart"
US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced on Thursday the start of a 25 percent tariff on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum imports.
Read more: Increasing international condemnation of Trump's tariffs
Tariffs are imposed on such types as coated steel, alloys, aluminum and pipes, raw materials widely used in various industries, construction and oil industry in the United States.
Ross said the talks with the European Union, Canada and Mexico had not made enough progress to ensure that the fees were dropped.
Canada, Mexico and the European Union combined $ 23 billion worth of steel and aluminum to the United States in 2017, nearly half of the total $ 48 billion in steel and aluminum imports last year.
How was the response?
EU, Canada and Mexico leaders criticized the move.
French President Emmanuel Macaron spoke to President Trump and told him that the new tariffs were "illegal," but Trump told him there was a need for a "trade balance" with the EU.
The EU issued a 10-page list of US goods that will be subject to tariffs in response to Trump's decision, from Harley-Davidson motorcycles to whiskey products.
The European Union intends to respond by imposing tariffs on the famous Harley-Davidson degrees
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the move was "totally unacceptable".
Canada plans to impose tariffs of up to 25 percent and $ 13 billion on US imports as of July 1.
The goods covered by the Canadian tariffs will include some types of American steel as well as consumer goods such as milk, whiskey and coffee.
The US move also opposed some prominent Republicans.
Republican Speaker Paul Ryan, the speaker of the House of Representatives, said the move targeted allies, which we should work with to counter unfair trade practices from some countries, such as China.