President Trump signed an order Tuesday doubling tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from 25% to 50% for al trading partners except the U.S. — drawing swift criticism from officials in neighboring Canada and Mexico.

Why it matters: Trump's order said the increased tariffs that took effect early Wednesday "will more effectively counter" countries that "offload low-priced, excess steel and aluminum" in the U.S., but economic officials have said such levies would lead to higher consumer prices and inflation. • A European Union official said after Trump announced the metal tariffs plan at a U.S. Steel plant in Pennsylvania on Friday that the president's decision "adds further uncertainty to the global economy and increases costs for consumers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic."

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