US House Speaker Ryan Trying to Avoid a Trade War

Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan on Monday said he is “extremely worried” about President Donald Trump’s plan to implement new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

But Trump shot back not long afterward, telling reporters in the Oval Office that he was not going to back down on tariffs.

He did, however, again signal that he may drop tariffs for Canada and Mexico if they can renegotiate a new NAFTA deal with the U.S. Trump also singled out China as the biggest problem the U.S. faces on trade – a notion he repeatedly expressed during his campaign.

Stocks rose Monday afternoon as traders saw an easing in concerns over a potential trade war. A GOP source told CNBC that congressional leaders have not ruled potential action down the line if Trump follows through on his plan.

Ryan is trying to push the Trump administration not to slap 25 percent tariffs on steel and 10 percent tariffs on aluminum, a plan announced by Trump on Thursday.

“We are extremely worried about the consequences of a trade war and are urging the White House to not advance with this plan,” said AshLee Strong, Ryan’s spokeswoman. “The new tax reform law has boosted the economy and we certainly don’t want to jeopardize those gains.”

Later, though, Trump insisted on his hard line.

via CNBC

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