WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump is set to double tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, raising them to 50 percent starting Wednesday. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that Trump will sign an executive order later today to implement this significant increase.

This move follows Trump's earlier imposition of 25 percent tariffs on these metals in March. The president first revealed his plan to escalate the tariffs during a rally at a Pennsylvania steel plant last Friday. He emphasized his commitment to supporting American steel and aluminum industries, stating, "He’s delivering on his promises to bolster our steel and aluminum industries in this country and to protect those jobs."

The announcement has raised concerns among Canadian industries, which warn that the increased tariffs could have devastating effects. The Canadian Steel Producers Association expressed that such high tariffs would lead to "mass disruption and negative consequences across our highly integrated steel supply chains and customers on both sides of the border."

Industry Minister Melanie Joly responded to the impending tariff hike by stating that the Canadian government plans to prioritize domestic steel and aluminum for federal contracts and the defense manufacturing sector. "We are in a trade war and we know that our steel and aluminum workers are worried — we’re standing up for them," Joly said during a session in the House of Commons.

Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, who has been in discussions with the Trump administration regarding potential tariff reductions, indicated that the government is working on measures to favor Canadian steel and aluminum in major projects. He acknowledged the unpredictability of the situation, saying, "One thing I’ve learned now, and I think we’ve all learned, is unpredictability."

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has also voiced his concerns, calling for Canada to retaliate against the new tariffs with a 25 percent tariff of its own. He argued that Trump's decision breaks a previous promise made after a standoff over a threatened surcharge on electricity supplied to the U.S. Ford stated, "If they keep on the 25 percent tariffs on steel, my recommendation is to slap them with a 25 percent (tariff), because we can’t be kicked around any longer."

As the situation develops, both U.S. and Canadian industries are bracing for the potential fallout from these heightened tariffs, which could reshape the landscape of North American steel and aluminum production.