German minister: US trade officials 'open to our arguments'

Germany's economy minister says he found officials in Washington "open to our arguments" when he visited to try and avert steel and aluminium tariffs against the European Union.

Germany's Peter Altmaier and EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom both visited Washington this week to seek an exemption. President Donald Trump's tariffs of 25 per cent on imported steel and 10 per cent on aluminium take effect Friday, but he temporarily exempted Canada and Mexico.

On Wednesday, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said some countries won't have to pay the tariffs while they try to negotiate exemptions. The administration is negotiating with the EU, South Korea, Argentina, and Australia.

Altmaier told Germany's parliament Thursday "it is a question of fundamental significance: whether we all stand for open and fair world markets in the future."

- AP