Trump Orders Negotiations with Allies on Critical Metal Imports

US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order directing Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamison Greer to negotiate with US allies on imports of critical metals.

A White House statement read: "President Donald Trump today signed an executive order pursuant to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, directing the US Secretary of Commerce and the US Trade Representative to conduct joint negotiations with trading partners to address the threat to national security posed by imports of processed critical metals and their derivative products from any country."

The statement explained that during these negotiations, the administration will encourage the "applying of price caps" on trade in critical metals and their derivative products, as part of a policy aimed at ensuring the security of critical industrial and military supplies.

The statement also warned that the president may take "other actions he deems necessary" if negotiations fail, saying: "The president may also take other actions he deems necessary to modify imports of critical minerals and their derivative products, and to address threats to national security, including if the agreements charged with being concluded within 180 days of the date of the executive order are not reached, not implemented, or are ineffective."