President Donald Trump signed an order Monday imposing global tariffs of 25% on all steel and aluminum imports, likely pleasing domestic steelmakers but hurting allies like Canada and Mexico.

The European Union hopes to avert a damaging trade war with the U.S. over impending metals tariffs by prioritising negotiations rather than retaliatory countermeasures, EU officials signalled on Wednesday.

The president imposed a 25 percent tariff on global metals, repeating a move from his first term. Economists and foreign governments know what will come next.