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Sen. Roy Blunt decries Trump administration tariffs on steel, aluminum

Posted at 6:15 PM, May 31, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-31 19:15:11-04

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Sen. Roy Blunt visited KCP&L Connect on Thursday to discuss the benefits tax reform is bringing to the metro.

His visit came on the heels of a controversial announcement from the Trump administration, which slapped a 25 percent import tariff on steel and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum. 

"We have a lot more people dependent on getting steel for the jobs they have than people that make steel," Blunt said of his constituents.

The senator said President Donald Trump is well aware of his thoughts on the tariffs and his concern about a looming trade war.

"Automobiles and agriculture are almost always the first things where we get retribution. Those happen to be two of the things we're really good at where we live," Blunt said.

NBC News reports Canada has already hit back with proposed matching tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum, plus whiskey, orange juice and other food products. Mexico also promised retaliatory measures, while the European Union is considering legal action.