U.S. President Donald Trump has once again delivered a shock by escalating a trade war even while negotiations with other countries are ongoing. He signed an order to increase tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50%. The White House announced that the new tariffs would come into effect immediately. Previously, Trump had increased tariffs but rolled them back following opposition from other countries. Now, he has signed a fresh order doubling the tariffs from 25% to 50%, unexpectedly reigniting a trade war while talks are still in progress.

Last week, Trump visited a plant in Pennsylvania where he declared his intention to increase tariffs on steel and aluminum. As promised, he has implemented the hike. According to the White House, the orders signed by Trump will be enforced starting Wednesday. This move marks another aggressive step in Trump's trade policies.

The latest decision is expected to heighten tensions with trade partners. The European Union has already issued a warning that it is prepared to retaliate. Since Trump’s return to power for a second term, his administration has taken a more aggressive approach, imposing steep tariffs not only on rival countries but also on allies. The stock markets have taken a hit, suffering major losses due to tariff hikes. This economic backlash had earlier forced Trump to postpone tariff increases. Now, despite ongoing negotiations, he has suddenly implemented the tariff hike once again. The global response to this latest move remains to be seen.