It sounds like Trump is moderating on his original idea of a broad steel and aluminum tariff. He just stated in a White House cabinet meeting that some countries will be exempted from the new tariffs:
BREAKING: Trump suggests Australia, "other countries" may be exempted from steel, aluminum tariffs, along with Mexico and Canada.
— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) March 8, 2018
Trump tells pool “We’re going to be quite flexible” on trade. He said that does not just include exemptions for Canada/Mexico -- but that it could mean lowering the tariffs from 25 percent on steel/10 percent on aluminum for certain countries.
— Sarah Westwood (@sarahcwestwood) March 8, 2018
I hope these countries will include all of our allies.
UPDATE: Here are Trump’s full comments from the end of his meeting when he’s questioned about more detail on the tariffs:
Trump also jokes about Gary Cohn, calling him a ‘globalist’ or something:
President Trump jokes during chief economic adviser Gary Cohn's last Cabinet meeting: "I have a feeling you will be back. I don't know if I can put him in the same position, though. He is not quite as strong on those tariffs as we want him to be." https://t.co/c3XN5mQH5k pic.twitter.com/mF5PNmrKe7
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 8, 2018