Federal Spotlight: Tariff Exemptions Extended for Allies, EPA Official Confirmed

The Trump administration announced Monday they would delay implementation of steel and aluminum tariffs on many of our allies, including Mexico, Canada and the European Union. The move would extend the reprieve for 30 days as both sides continue negotiations over trade policies. President Trump announced in March he would implement steel tariffs of 25% and aluminum tariffs of 10% on imports from certain nations as a means to protect American industry and jobs. The exemptions for Mexico and Canada come as the nations are in the middle of talks about renegotiating NAFTA. The goal is to wrap up those talks by the end of May.

The U.S. Senate recently confirmed Andrew Wheeler to be deputy administrator of the EPA. Wheeler, who will now be the second-highest ranking official at the EPA, was confirmed by the Senate with a vote of 53-45. Three Democrats supported his confirmation. Wheeler, a former key staff person for the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, will join the EPA at a time when Administrator Scott Pruitt continues to work on rolling back burdensome regulations that were imposed on business during the Obama administration.