The European Union said it would respond with "firm and proportionate countermeasures" after U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports, escalating fears of a trade war.

Here's a quick recap of what has occurred in US politics today: Trump issued a 25% steel and aluminum tariff on all countries, raising fears of a potential trade war and increased consumer costs. The president pardoned former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich years after the Democrat was found guilty of political corruption charges

United States President Donald Trump has signed executive orders to impose 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from March 12, despite warnings

India's aluminium shipments to the U.S., its top export market for the metal, will likely drop due to tariffs proposed by Washington, prompting producers to look at other markets such as Europe, industry executives and a government source said on Monday.

During his first term, Trump put tariffs of 25% on steel imports and 10% on aluminium imports from Canada, Mexico and the European Union. But the US reached a deal a year later with Canada and Mexico to end those tariffs, although the EU import taxes remained in place until 2021.

President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tax on all steel and aluminium coming into the United States, greatly expanding existing trade restrictions.

Donald Trump said he would on Monday impose 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports, expanding his trade conflicts to the metals sector in a new burst of protectionism from Washington.