‘America First’: Largest steel producer in US announces support of Trump tariffs

The CEO of Nucor Corp., the largest steel producer in the U.S., endorsed President Donald Trump’s tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico. Leon J. Topalian, the chair, president, and CEO of Nucor Corp., wrote in a statement that Nucor applauds the first steps taken by President Trump in his America First Trade Agenda and looks forward to working with him to enforce trade laws and strengthen American manufacturing. Nucor is based in North Carolina and serves as the nation’s largest steel producer and scrap metal recycler. Topalian recently joined CNBC’s Jim Cramer and celebrated Trump’s then-upcoming tariffs as tools to end currency manipulation and the subsidization of steel coming to the U.S. from abroad. Trump signed an executive order on Saturday authorizing tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China through the new International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The tariffs take effect on Tuesday and include 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10% tariff on imports from China. Energy resources from Canada will have a lower 10% tariff. Foreign leaders have railed against the tariffs, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau both expressing strong opposition. Trump defended the tariffs, stating that Canada has been very abusive of the United States for many years. — news from Fox News